I love my mac. However, my primary email client is Thunderbird, not Mail. And my primary browser is Camino, not Safari (my dock also contains Firefox and Opera). Apple's default programs are good, but many tech geeks--myself included--find that third party software often performs better and offers more features for power users.
Unfortunately, we're out of luck with respect to the iPhone. Apple is currently rejecting any apps that duplicate the functionality of the default iPhone apps. Which means, until Apple changes its policy, iPhone users will never see a third party email client or web browser. Opera Software CEO Jon Stephenson von Tetzchner (say it three times fast) reported today that Apple rejected a version of Opera's mobile browser engineered specifically for the iPhone. I would have downloaded it. I might have even paid a nominal fee for it.
I don't object to Apple serving as gatekeeper for iPhone apps. I just think the gatekeeper's role should be limited to protecting iPhone hardware and iPhone users. Maybe Apple receives a significant revenue stream from Google searches done via mobile Safari, and is trying to protect those profits. I really don't know. If not, rejecting Opera's mobile browser is anti-competitive for the sake of being anti-competitive. Oh well.
Friday, October 31, 2008
No Opera Browser for iPhone
I Voted
On Wednesday actually. New York City doesn't have early voting, but it does allow for in-person absentee voting starting a couple weeks prior to election day. Since I won't be in Manhattan on election day, I decided to do my civic duty yesterday while I was downtown for work anyway.
I don't wanna get too mushy or hyperbolic, but even though it was only a paper ballot, instead of the visually and aurally gratifying (no snickering) old school lever machine New Yorkers are used to, the simple act of filling in the oval below the name Barack Obama was incredibly overwhelming. I've never before had so much hope for a candidate for any office.
I'm not saying that voting for the first legitimate black candidate for President of the United States has the same resonance for me as it does for African Americans who lived through the civil rights era, or even African American voters generally. My point is that Barack Obama represents so much to so many people of all different backgrounds. For me, he represents an end to the worst sin of the Bush Administration: the unwillingness to question the virtue of policies driven solely by ideology, and, more generally, the know-nothing anti-intellectualism now personified by Sarah Palin. Say what you want about specific Obama proposals, Barack Obama is an empiricist. In sharp contrast to dubya, a President Obama will base his decisions on evidence, and adjust his approach to issues as conditions change. Sometimes tax cuts and deficit spending are necessary. Sometimes they're destructive. Barack Obama understands this. Dubya didn't. McCain can't. This election is a chance to put to bed the notion that America is best off with an average joe (plumber or otherwise) at the helm.
Know hope. Vote egghead.
Poetic Quotes That Require Posting, Ctd.
It was me. I admit it. I said it. Just to give you some context: Quico and I were discussing how a not insignificant number of our former high school classmates have really let themselves go (thanks facebook), while Quico and I are just now hitting our respective strides.
And we like tight pants. Who doesn't?
Track of the Day
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Poetic Quotes That Require Posting
"You and I, on the otherhand, are like fine wines. Fine heterosexual wines that enjoy wearing tight pants. "
- anom
Track of the Day
Michael Buble - The Spiderman Theme Song
Not sure where this came from. Starting to get in the Halloween mood I guess . . .
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Joe the Douchebag
Apparently, Joe the Plumber, the arithmetically challenged pipe-and-toilet man and only registered voter to have a Presidential debate held solely for his benefit, is considering recording an album of country music to be released as early as inauguration day. Joe sure is enjoying his 15 minutes. Someone let him know he's got about 30 seconds left.
In Defense of Russell Brand
Russell Brand was suspended by the BBC from his normal radio gig--and subsequently quit altogether--for leaving an "offensive" message on the answering machine of actor Andrew Sachs. Jonathan Ross, Brand's co-host for that particular show and a BBC television host himself, was also suspended. Essentially, Brand and Ross revealed in their message that Brand had slept with Sachs' granddaughter, a member of a colorful dance troupe called "The Satanic Sluts." No one is denying the validity of Brand's claim, just that Brand and Ross shouldn't have brought it up. At least not on the answering machine of the girl's grandfather. As it turns out, I'm a regular listener and happened to have heard the incident in question.
Before I recount the relevant dialogue, let me first remind you of Quico's First Law of Humor, which reads, in part: "Nothing is out of bounds, as long as it's funny." In my opinion, this incident was hilarious and therefore well within bounds. You be the judge:
Prior to leaving the message, Brand and Ross were joking about Russell's encounter with the Satanic Slut, and Brand half-heartedly exhorted Ross not to bring it up to Sachs. Anyway, Sachs didn't pick up the phone, and the boys began to leave a message. A minute or two into the message Brand said, "I've got respect for you, and your lineage, and your progeny." Jonathan Ross quickly admonished Brand for tiptoeing around "it" and then screamed, "He fucked your granddaughter!"
C'mon! Hilarious! Am I wrong? Anyway, I thought the Brits were supposed to be much more laid back about this sorta stuff. I think the BBC ought to apologize to Brand for its rash decision and offer him his job back. Your thoughts?
Update: iTunes has pulled The Russell Brand podcast from the iTunes store. If anyone is interested in hearing the relevant audio, I've got the podcast saved on my harddrive and will consider making it available.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
MobileMess: Why I Won't Be Renewing My MobileMe Subscription
I've been waiting patiently for Apple to get their shit in gear, but I can't hold my tongue any longer. MobileMe has thus far been a total failure. Every feature included in Apple's subscription service is available for free elsewhere. And you know what? The free versions are better!
Email.
As far as email goes, me.com is sluggish and unpredictable. My emails go through about half the time. If I don't remember to save an email as a draft before sending it, I risk losing the email forever. As someone who considers email writing an art form, I take more time than most in crafting my emails. When they then disappear without a trace, I get pretty ticked off, as you might have guessed from the tone of this post. Despite having had a .Mac/MobileMe account for almost a year, I still use Gmail as my primary personal email address. It's fast. It's reliable. Google is constantly making improvements to Gmail. It threads emails. It has server-side filters. It operates without requiring the unnecessary and obtrusive extra window that MobileMe uses for all replies. Gmail is just plain better. And it's free.
*I've had much less trouble using MobileMe with Leopard's built-in "Mail" program. However, as discussed in an earlier post, I believe Thunderbird is a far superior desktop client, so I don't use Mail at all anymore.
iDisk.
iDisk is temperamental. Upload speeds vary greatly. The web version is clunky and sluggish. No matter what I try, Leopard's "Backup" refuses to upload my Home Folder to my iDisk. I'm not sure what good having online storage space is, if I can't backup my files to it. Considering that I'm unable to backup my Home Folder to my iDisk, numerous other free services like GMX and Box.net are sufficient for storing and sharing individual files.
Calendars.
MobileMe is STILL unable to sync subscription calendars with the iPhone! That means my shared Gcal calendars have to be accessed using Mobile Safari, rather than using the iPhone's built-in Calendar app. Yes, there are workarounds, but they're obnoxious and not worth the trouble (I refuse to sync my iPhone with my Macbook Pro three times a day just to keep my calendars relatively current). As a result, I don't use iCal or the iPhone's Calendar app. I use Gcal. It's better looking, it allows me to keep all my calendars in one place, and it's free. Score another one for Google.
Conclusion.
These are the most important MobileMe features for me. And they're all easily replaced with free services. Moreover, I haven't seen a single legitimate update to MobileMe in weeks. It's as if Apple has given up on MobileMe altogether. Sure, "Push" email on the iPhone is nice (when it works), but it's not worth the hassle of dealing with the rest of the crap MobileMe throws at you.
Anyone out there see a reason to renew my MobileMe subscription when it expires?
Quote of the Day
Andrew on Palin and the recent deluge of leaks coming from inside the McCain campaign:
"It's a massive, unmissable clusterfuck and has been for two months. They just can't hide it any longer."
Monday, October 27, 2008
Super Beagle!
I almost don't believe this is real. Check out the onlooking beagles. They don't believe it either.
Hat tip: Andrew
Friday, October 24, 2008
People Who Need a Beating: Ashley Todd Edition
I've stayed away from this story, in an effort to be respectful. For those who hadn't heard, Ashley Todd is a volunteer for the McCain/Palin campaign that claimed she was taking money out of an ATM in Pittsburgh, when she was mugged by a big scary black man, who then proceeded to scratch a "B" into her face and exhort her to vote Obama. The story seemed too weird from the get-go. In addition to there being no corroborating surveillance footage at the ATM, the "B" was backwards (as if some simpleton had done it to herself in the mirror). Today, it's being reported that the "victim," Ashley Todd, has recanted her story. Obviously, this was a disgusting attempt to stoke racial tensions in western Pennsylvania where, by all accounts, some voters are reluctant to vote for a black man. Pittsburgh police said Todd will face charges. Good.
Update (3:38pm): Matt Yglesias correctly points out that, in line with the McCain camp's general policy of race-baiting, the campaign chose not to remain circumspect about this fishy story, but actively embraced it and used it for political purposes.
No On Prop 8
I haven't talked about this at all, but it's a pretty important issue. Prop 8 is a ballot initiative to amend California's constitution to ban gay marriage. The movement to deprive gay couples in California of their civil rights is being primarily funded by out-of-state, magic-underwear-wearing Mormons (good to see the LDS has its priorities straight). Since California already permits gay marriage, Prop 8 would serve to nullify existing marriage licenses. If you want to know more or want to donate to "No On Prop 8" you can go here. Below is one of the "No On Prop 8" ads that is currently airing in California:
Update (4:40pm): Perhaps this Apple-style ad was more than coincidental. Apple just announced that it is publicly opposing Prop 8 and donating $100,000 to the cause. Another reason to love your iPhone and your Mac.
Track of the Day
John Mayer - Comfortable
Yea, I like John Mayer. Yea, I like this song. Got a problem with that?
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Track of the Day
David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust
Is it really possible that this is the first time David Bowie has appeared here?
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Quote of the Day
David Sedaris on undecided voters:
To put them in perspective, I think of being on an airplane. The flight attendant comes down the aisle with her food cart and, eventually, parks it beside my seat. “Can I interest you in the chicken?” she asks. “Or would you prefer the platter of shit with bits of broken glass in it?”
To be undecided in this election is to pause for a moment and then ask how the chicken is cooked.
Hat tip: Andrew
The Jets Will Make the Playoffs, Ctd.
Remember that bit about the Jets making the playoffs? Just kidding.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Name That President
Ezra Klein plays "Name That President" and asks his readers to objectively asses how history will ultimately view said President:
"During this president's tenure, America suffered its worst domestic terrorist attack in history, saw one of its premier cities washed away by a predictable hurricane, embroiled itself in a disastrous war of choice in the Middle East, and suffered the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression."
People Who Need a Beating: Sean Penn Edition
Liberals, myself included, are always poking fun at moronic conservative celebrities like Stephen Baldwin, Chuck Norris, and Mel "The Jews Did It" Gibson. But, to be fair, we've got our own numbskulls to deal with. Leading the pack is the always inarticulate Sean Penn (remember the lame WMD comment at the Oscars?). Let me first say that I think he's a great actor, and I'm looking forward to "Milk." I just wish Sean Penn the political activist would go away, forever. It's being reported that he just met with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Again. Why isn't it enough to be anti-Bush? Why must Sean Penn-types embrace the wackjobs on the other side of the political spectrum, as if they're somehow better? When he pulls stunts like this, it gives credence to the ridiculous conservative talk radio meme that liberals are all Hollywood socialists. I'm sure Limbaugh, Hannity, and O'Reilly will have a field day with this. And then they'll try to tie Penn to Obama. In conclusion, Sean Penn is a douche-nozzle.
Track of the Day
Corey Hart - Sunglasses at Night
I broke my regular eyeglasses this weekend. Tragic. How am I supposed to communicate to people that I'm a liberal, east village, hipster type?
Friday, October 17, 2008
Eliot's Top 5 Free iPhone Apps
Like the tech geek I am, I'm always on the lookout for great free iPhone apps (nothing is more frustrating than spending money on a useless piece of software). I'm downloading new apps all the time, and constantly purging my phone of apps I no longer use. Here are 5 free apps currently on my iPhone that I think are really superb:
- Runkeeper - This fitness app used to cost $9.99, but the price recently dropped to zero. Runkeeper uses the iPhone's GPS capability to help you track your runs, walks, bikes, etc. After your workout, you can upload your info to runkeeper.com which provides you with all sorts of neat details, like a google map of your route. The iPhone interface is simple and sleek. It shows you distance traveled, speed (mph), pace (miles/min), time, and nothing else. Trailguru, a similar free fitness app, shows way too much information on the screen, making it absolutely useless while you're running. You can listen to your iPod while Runkeeper is active, as long as you start your music first. You're not supposed to lock your iPhone while Runkeeper is active (Runkeeper turns off autolock), as GPS reportedly does not work when the phone is locked; though I swear I successfully used Runkeeper with the phone locked (maybe a good 3g signal is enough).
- Simplify - This concept is way cool. Essentially, you download, install, and run a small program on your Mac or PC. As long as your computer is connected to the internet, you can then stream your entire iTunes library to your iPhone using WiFi, 3G, or EDGE. Your entire 150gb library is now readily accessible on your 8gb or 16gb iPhone. You can also give your friends access to your iTunes library. Pretty neat, huh? Of course, streaming music like that really eats the iPhone battery. And the app can be temperamental. But, the concept is so hip, that it still makes my Top Five.
- Pandora - Most of you probably know about Pandora already, so I won't go into too much detail. It's an oldie but a goodie. Pandora is internet radio based on artists you tell it you like. It hipped me to artists I previously never heard of, but am now infatuated with, like Sondre Lerche.
- Sportacular - A simple, reliable, easy to use app for sports scores and stats. If you just wanna know the score of an ongoing game or how many interceptions Brett Favre has thrown thus far, checking Sportacular is way faster than using your laptop or watching ESPNews.
- Around Me - A useful little app that tells you what's around you. Click "Bars" and the app will show you the nearest bars. Click "Restaurants" and the app will show you the nearest restaurants. It's simple and it works.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Best Dad Ever
My dad never made me a Halloween costume like this. And, unlike this kid, I was totally part of the Megaman generation:
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Track of the Day
Tommy James and the Shondells - I Think We're Alone Now
A loyal reader requested that I post some Tiffany today. While I'm always happy to receive requests and willing to oblige whenever possible, I just couldn't bring myself to post Tiffany. Instead, enjoy the original version of "I Think We're Alone Now." It's the closest I could come without having to kick my own ass.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Quote of the Day
Matt Yglesias on the McCain camp's new "Obama's already measuring the drapes" meme:
"I was non-metaphorically laying the groundwork to hang some curtains earlier today and it occurred to me that I don’t quite get this metaphor. I’m measuring my window and hoping to get appropriately sized curtains. What are you going to accomplish by measuring the drapes? You can’t make your window smaller."
The Eliot Inside '08 Presidential Endorsement
After a long discussion at The Inside's Annual Moose Hunt and Jamboree--held last week in Boob Creek, Alaska--the Editorial Board has decided to officially endorse candidates for President and Vice-President of the United States. Today, The Board enthusiastically endorses the ticket of Geezer/Dingbat '08. Listed below are eight non-sequiturs, rhetorical questions, and baseless assumptions that compelled The Board to reach this decision:- Old people can steal stuff and get away with it. Maybe China won't mind if President Geezer reneges on that trillion dollars we owe 'em.
- Victims of rape should have to pay for their rape kits. He paid for dinner, didn't he?
- If Barack Obama is not a Muslim terrorist, why does he get so defensive when we call him one?
- Governor Dingbat can field-dress a moose. We can barely dress ourselves, and we don't even have antlers.
- Our Grandma got an email saying Barack Obama doesn't wash his hands after using the bathroom. If cleanliness is next to Godliness, we think Obama's dirty hands are irrefutable evidence of his commitment to Islamic jihad.
- "Dingbat" is another word for missile, which ought to get those A-rabs shaking in their turbans.
- Press conferences are for sissies.
- Who is the real Barack Obama?
Track of the Day
Sondre Lerche & Regina Spektor - Hell No
Really diggin the Sondre Lerche lately. Search the Inside and you'll find a couple more tracks by him.
Also, the Editorial Board at The Eliot Inside will officially endorse candidates for President and Vice-President later this morning. Stay tuned . . .
Friday, October 10, 2008
McCain Meets the (Real) Republican Base
The John McCain of 2000 had a clear distaste for the religious right and the anti-intellectual, racist, republican base. Recent events, however, suggested that that guy was long gone. But, maybe he's making a comeback:
Hat tip: Ezra Klein
Too Risky NOT to Change: The Prescience of Obama
We all saw it coming, but it's nice to know the campaign has been preparing for it too. I expect him to deflect the current attacks with the same humor and grace he has deflected all previous attacks, and for his poll numbers to go up in the process.
Hat tip: Andrew
Thursday, October 9, 2008
John McCain is a Disgusting Human Being
John McCain is a shell of the man independents and moderates of both parties once admired. Maybe he always was a sleaze and he just had us all fooled. Either way, the John McCain of 2008 is a disgusting human being. And a coward. Yes, I said it. John McCain, a former prisoner of war, is a coward. He had the chance to say these disgraceful things to Obama's face at Tuesday's debate, but he didn't.
Hat tip: Andrew
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
The Base
The new tone taken up by the McCain/Palin ticket has brought out the true Republican base. McCain once criticized South Carolina's love affair with the confederate flag. Now racism and fear have become an integral part of his election strategy. So much so that McCain supporters now feel free to shout out "Treason!" and "Kill Him!" at the mention of Obama's name.
Hat tip: Andrew
The 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
James Fallows has proposed an Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. It's just a draft, but I think it's a good start:
"No Person shall be elected President or Vice President without accepting a session of questioning by the press, such session to last no less than one hour and to be open to normally accredited members of the press in the same fashion as at Presidential news conferences. The questioning shall occur and the results shall be made freely available to the public at least one week before an Election is held."I think the minimum time for questioning should be extended to 3 hours, perhaps over the course of two or three press conferences. And, the right to ask followup questions should be expressly guaranteed. And, the phrase "same fashion as at Presidential news conferences" should be excised in favor of something less wishy-washy and more meaningful.
Track of the Day
The Kinks - This Time Tomorrow
Great song. And the first time The Kinks have appeared here at The Inside. I pride myself on picking good ToD's every day of the week. But, sometimes, real life gets in the way and I have to phone it in. Not today. Give this one a listen.
Monday, October 6, 2008
The Jets Will Make the Playoffs
That's right. Only four games (2-2) into the season, I am ready to declare that the Jets will make the playoffs this year. I base this mostly on the Jets schedule. The Jets still have games remaining against the Bengals, Raiders, Chiefs, Rams, 49ers, Seahawks, and the Dolphins. Those teams have a combined record of 7-24. Of those seven teams, only the Bengals (0-5) are likely better than their record suggests. If the Jets win only those seven games, they will finish the season with a 9-7 record, making them a borderline playoff team. Winning one more game (Patriots? Perhaps one of the two games remaining against the Bills?) virtually guarantees them a playoff spot. J-E-T-S ! ! !
Disclaimer: Please disregard this entire post. I'm just psyched about going to this Sunday's game against the Bengals.
Amazon made my morning
While logging onto Amazon this morning to purchase supplies for my halloween costume, it suggested based on my past purchases I may want to buy...MY OWN ALBUM. Well I'm glad I'm consistent! Thanks amazon, you made my morning!
Quote of the Day
Justice Brennan in Paris Adult Theatre I v. Slaton, 413 U.S. 49, 113 (1973) (Brennan, J., dissenting):
. . . at least in the absence of distribution to juveniles or obtrusive exposure to unconsenting adults, the First and Fourteenth Amendments prohibit the State and Federal Governments from attempting wholly to suppress sexually oriented materials on the basis of their allegedly "obscene" contents.Why is this today's quote of the day? Here's an excerpt from Glenn Greenwald's article--you owe it to your country and your Constitution to read it--on the recent obscenity conviction of a pornography producer:
On Friday in Tampa, Florida, Paul F. Little was sentenced by a federal judge to 3 years and 10 months in a federal prison after being convicted of the grave and terrible crime of distributing pornography "over the Internet and through the mail" -- films featuring only consenting adults and distributed only to those consenting adults who chose to purchase them.And:
So, to recap, in the Land of the Free: if you're an adult who produces a film using other consenting adults, for the entertainment of still other consenting adults, which merely depicts fictional acts of humiliation and degradation, the DOJ will prosecute you and send you to prison for years. The claim that no real pain was inflicted will be rejected; mere humiliation is enough to make you a criminal. But if government officials actually subject helpless detainees in their custody to extreme mental abuse, degradation, humiliation and even mock executions long considered "torture" in the entire civilized world, the DOJ will argue that they have acted with perfect legality and, just to be sure, Congress will hand them retroactive immunity for their conduct. That's how we prioritize criminality and arrange our value system.
Friday, October 3, 2008
The "Nucular" Candidate
I promised someone last night that this video would appear on YouTube today. I'm very happy not to have to disappoint. Enjoy.
Hat tip: Matt Yglesias
Track of the Day
Loverboy - Working for the Weekend
I stayed home sick today. Hopefully I can shake this Palin-induced malady in time to enjoy the weekend a little. FYI: Biden won the debate; the polls will show that soon.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
You'll Have Plenty of Time to Vote for Barack Obama, When You're Living in a Van Down by the River!
It's a pretty safe bet that anyone still saying they don't "trust" Barack Obama, is a racist. Of course, as an elitist New York liberal, you expect me to say things like that. Which is why it's nice to see Richard Trumka of the AFL-CIO saying pretty much the same thing. He may live in a van down by the river, but he's no racist, and he doesn't think his union brothers and sisters should be let off the hook when they confess their racially-motivated support for John McCain.
Hat tip: Ta-Nehisi
Wearing Crocs Makes You a Douchebag
I know I've mentioned my distaste for Crocs in the past. Finally, there is definitive proof that wearing Crocs makes you a douchebag. I consider this issue permanently settled.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Pushing Daisies Season Premiere
Season Two of Pushing Daisies begins tonight on ABC at 8pm EST. It's one of the very few shows that I've ever made an effort to work my schedule around. If you've never watched it, I seriously recommend checking it out. It's a quirky modern day fairy tale. And it's visually very impressive.
Palin is Palin. Not Quayle. Not Eagleton.
That is to say, Sarah Palin's emergence on the national scene is unprecedented.
Dan Quayle had been a Congressman for four years and a Senator for eight before he was tapped by Bush 41. He had a degree from Indiana University Law School. He may not have possessed a staggering intellect or the experience of a McCain or a Biden, but he wasn't an unknown quantity requiring public vetting.
Tom Eagleton had been a Senator for four years prior to being tapped by McGovern. He had a degree from Harvard Law School. He was a professor at Washington University. Unlike Quayle, Eagleton did require public vetting, which ultimately led to his removal from the ticket. However, Eagleton was no intellectual lightweight.
Sarah Palin, on the otherhand, is both an unknown quantity and an intellectual lightweight (not to mention a compulsive liar). The latter point is hardly debatable after the Gibson and Couric interviews. Nevertheless, let's have a look at some of her academic accomplishments: After numerous stints at other colleges, Palin graduated from the University of Idaho with a degree in communications, or sports journalism, or something like that. And she was the second runner-up in the 1984 Miss Alaska pageant. She makes Quayle look like Cass Sunstein. The former point is equally undeniable. From the Bridge to Nowhere, to her questionable pregnancy, the list of things John McCain clearly didn't know when he picked her grows each day.
So let's stop with the historical comparisons. They're unfair to both Quayle and Eagleton. And they detract from the fact that John McCain made the most irresponsible Vice-Presidential choice in the history of presidential politics.
iPhone Movie Theater
I've started using Handbrake to put DVDs (movies and TV episodes) on my iPhone. I'm not sure if I'll ever actually want to watch anything on my iPhone, but it's nice to know it works. The first movie I put on there? The Darjeeling Limited. Seems like a shame to put such a visually appealing film onto such a small device. I hope Wes Anderson doesn't feel the same way David Lynch feels. Ultimately, I think shorter TV episodes are better suited for iPhone viewing. Maybe my "30 Rock" box set will be next. Or maybe I need to buy the "Mad Men" box set and see what all the fuss is about.
