I have a lot of questions about ice.

Specifically, the ice served in restaurants. When you go to a restaurant, you are usually presented with a choice of either tap water of bottled water. While the debate over the merits of bottled water will not be settled here today (it’s better than tap water, get over it , you goddamn hippies), the fact remains that whether or not you choose to drink the swampy tap water or a fresh-brewed ice tea, the ice maker is probably churning out chunks of ice made of the swampy tap water.

Or so I believe.

And this is my first question. Is most restaurant ice made of the tap water that I don’t want anyway? And this brings me to my major conundrum of the week:

Why is there no Gourmet Ice? (continue reading…)

So Microsoft announced they’re now making ‘Windows Phone 7 Series’, which, in their continued tradition of awful name schemes, is their way of saying they want to make smartphone software…. like everyone else is already doing.

“What’s that? A Windows phone that is ALSO a Zune? What will I do with my Zune then?” I am sure hundreds of people will say. Congratulations, Microsoft, welcome to three years ago. While the video of ‘Windows Phone Alpha Omega 7 Go!’ looks promising, I just can’t imagine that there are many people who were clamoring to see their Xbox Live stats on their phone, were there? Maybe there were and if you’re out there, it’s coming…… next Christmas. Yeah, big announcement today but actual delivery not coming until NEXT Winter. Oooookay….

But it can store photos! And music! And allow you to update Facebook! See, we’re cool, too!

Where is my Microsoft Courier again?

Anyway, when you’re done yawning and think you might want this thing there’s an interesting look, if not terribly fanwankerish, over at Gizmodo right here.

It seems like no gadget is good enough for the tech-savvy anymore. I have read tons of reviews of the initial reactions to the Nook that were lukewarm. Granted, these were nothing compared to the avalanche that is befalling iPad but still. I’m just not sure why most of those reviews weren’t more positive now that I’ve had mine a few days.

Since I’m a reader and writer of books, I had decided to throw my hat into the e-reader ring late last year. Stately Bruce Manor is full of books but in the wake of my desire to do some traveling I figured I might need to consolidate for on-the-go reading. I immediately let the Kindle go since they use a proprietary format instead of the more widely accepted epub file format. I’d also gleaned that putting your own files on the Kindle was a pain in the ass (read: no drag and drop). I did look at the Sony eReader, which looked good but their desktop software library from which you draw to put books on the device was, well, clunky as shit. I wanted something I could keep a library on my home computer and drag onto my device, sort of like an iPod for books.

And then they announced the Nook. (continue reading…)

I’m not sure if you’ve been following any of the Apple iPad news, but there’s a lot of buzz among the tech community. When I first saw the device, I was amazed. It’s a super easy to use tablet device that does all the basic functions that I expect from a (home use) computer. It browses the Internet, it does email, and it does word processing and spreadsheets. Not only does it do all these things, but it does the well, and is easy to use with an intuitive touch screen. Now surely it’s not going to replace a full size computer, or even a laptop. It’s aimed at a different market. I would love to kick back on the couch and surf the net on one of these things. The target audience is obviously not the super techie; it’s the average person that has very average and very basic computing needs.

Well, the techies have taken offense to this. They rebuke this device as grand failure because it doesn’t meet their supposed needs. I’ve seen tech site after tech site discuss the limitations of the device and how it won’t be good for anything. It’s just a glorified iPhone. Well, I have news for the techies. Apple is not in the business of pleasing techies. They are in the business of making easy to use hardware and software for the average person. There are far more average people in this world who just want an easy to use device for Internet and email. The iPhone is the leader in phones, so why not create a device based on that wonderful design?

I was happy to finally find a post on Gizmodo that stood up to all the nonsense. http://gizmodo.com/5461485/ipad-snivelers-put-up-or-shut-up. Of course, the author is taking a beating from all the techies in the comments section for going against their views.

I consider this to be part of the times we live in. Everyone is all about the “me.” If a new device doesn’t suit “my” needs, then I must tell the world how horrible it is. Here’s the thing though, there is no company on this planet that exists just to please “you.” They are here to make a profit and they do this by making products or providing services that someone is willing to pay for. If “you” don’t like a product, then just keep your mouth shut and don’t buy it. Speak with your wallet; it’s far more powerful than the negativity that is flapping out of your pie holes. Gizomodo has gotten pretty bad with all the negativity in the comments sections. I can barely stand reading it anymore because of this. Anyway, the bottom line is, there are some great new technological devices out there, and there are some not so great devices. The success will be determined by the consumer.

While traveling in South Carolina recently, and on my way to work, I heard a commercial on the radio announcing a Candy Buyback Program. The idea is to get all that Halloween candy off the streets and out of our houses. Really? Is this really necessary? Must we take away one of the joys of being a kid by taking away this treasured bounty? One of the few nights every year that kids really look forward to, and we’re going to take away their single most treasured reward for their hard work?

I’m reminded of a scene in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (the new one, not the old one) (continue reading…)

As many of you wand-wielding maniacs already know, Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida will be opening a new Harry Potter-themed pavilion next Spring. The fine folks over at io9.com have put together a little collection of the buildings in progress and some official press stuff from Universal as well with none other than Tom Felton, who plays Draco Malfoy in the movies.

While I think it’s a great idea to build at least a mini-theme park devoted to the Potter lore, I question the validity of the location. My understanding is that the locale referenced will be that of Hogsmeade Village. As any fan will know, this is a place visited in the winter by witch and wizarding students and thus, a snow-capped village. I’m not sure how the look of snow-capped roofs and 95 degree, swelteringly hot and humid Florida weather go together but I suppose if you think a boy can ride a broom a little suspension of disbelief is called for.

I can’t imagine the sweating that will go on beneath black robes and long scarves at this joint when it opens.

Watch those videos over on io9.com here.

Fake Steve Jobs has a great piece on his blog about how “mainstream” media is dying. I hesitate to even use the word mainstream anymore since I don’t consider traditional media outlets as news at this point.

I’m sure a majority of Americans still believe that there is inherent value in traditional news media, but I find that the argument made against bloggers (and mentioned in the Fake Steve Jobs piece) is true. The argument here is that blogging is considered merely an aggregatorial practice and that the “real” reporting is done solely by reporters for TV and newspaper news outlets. I see it quite the opposite, in fact. (continue reading…)