I can do everything on my Mac that I did on my PC, so with the exception of buying all new software for my Mac its been a wash.  I’ve made the decided to reevaluate some of the software I was using and have tried some new programs.  I try to go “native” when possible.  For example I don’t run Office for Mac, I run Works.  I can do all the same Office stuff I did before, including collaborating on files, without missing a beat.  Also since I’m not an Office “power user” Works has all the features I need.

With respect to the hardware it’s pretty damn good.  I wanted something bigger than my 8.9” netbook but still portable.  I thought about getting the 15” MBP but couldn’t justify the extra money when I have a 22” LCD at home.  The 17” has some nice features like the matte screen and ExpressCard slot but I would never spend that much for a laptop even if I had it.  The battery life is pretty awesome but I think any laptop with LiPoly batteries would be great too.  I get about 6 hrs of battery life running multiple VM’s and driving a projector.  The only upgrade I have pending is to swap out the HD.  It came with a 250GB 5400RPM drive and I’m upgrading to a 500GB 7200RPM.  Knowing that soon as any drive gets to >51% capacity starts to get really slow really fast.

OS X has been a learning experience for me.  I’ve used Mac’s for years even pre-OSX but never owned one, so it’s been fun to be in the “newbie” seat.  I can say that Mac’s do crash.  For me OS X is as stable as Vista has been for me.  Maybe 2 crashes in a month if I’m really being careless.  Over all I do like how “smart” the Mac seems to be.  The flow of the experience is much different than on Windows.  I can see whey Windows users feel that Mac users are snobs.  We are, we have it good and can see all the wrong that is Windows.

I wasn’t planning on using my Mac as much as I am, but it really has made me switch.  I still have several Windows computers that I use.  I even have several Windows VM’s installed on my Mac.  But when I just need a computer that works, I grab my Mac.  I’m not going to say that it’s a Zen like experience, but my blood pressure does go down when I’m on my Mac.

The point of this post was to share my experience switching.  I’m not trying to sell anyone and I really don’t care if you like Mac’s or hate them.  My only advise is use what works for you and never be afraid to try something new.  If Mac’s aren’t for you try Linux.  Ubuntu rocks!

I first learned about Eye-Fi a few years ago on TechCrunch.  At the time the cost and storage didn’t make much sense.  But now that the price has come down and the storage has gone up it works out a little better. The Eye-Fi is a memory card for your digital camera that has built-in WiFi.  Once you configure the card to connect to your home wireless network, it will upload all your photo’s automatically to whatever destination you choose.  I have my card setup to use my home wireless network and my iPhone which I can run as an AP.  This allows us to take picture at home or on the go and upload them right away to our photo sharing website.

After playing with it yesterday I don’t know why I waited this long.  I got the 2GB version since I got the wife a point-and-shoot.  They also have a 4GB version if you need the storage.  The 2GB holds about ~1000 hi-res images from a 10 MP camera, so if she is out and about, it has enough storage to hold all her photo’s until she gets back home.  I can also add additional wireless networks to the card.  So if we’re visiting friends or family we can use there wireless networks as well.

• Easy to setup
• Uploads automatically
• Supports most photo sharing websites
• Not expensive when you think of the time saved uploading

Cons:

• Low capacity and slow write/read times
  
• Will suck battery much faster due to uploads
• Can’t upload to multiple websites at same time
• Configuration software only for OS X and Windows no Linux

If you have a digital camera with a ton of photos you’ve never uploaded?  If you just copy your photo’s from your SD card onto your computer but never post them online?  Your friend or partner depend on you to fill the void between photo’s on the camera and posting them online?  Get an Eye-Ficard.  It will save you so much time and works great.

Disclaimer

First I need to be perfectly clear that this how-to WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY.  I strongly suggest that you wait until AT&T offers a tethering plan for the iPhone, which has been rumored to be in the works.  I am sure that waiting will have a bigger payoff, as you will not be voiding the warranty, and the solution should be easier then the how-to given below.

Requirements:

• Windows 32-bit XP/Vista (64-bit Vista Only)
• iPhone 3G (Firmware v2.2.1)
• iTunes 8
• QuickPWN 2.2.5
• Cydia
• PDAnet 1.50+

Step 1 Jailbreak iPhone

You will need to jailbreak your iPhone 3G since we are going to install 3rd party software.  This means software that is not approved by Apple.  To jailbreak your iPhone your going to need to download QuickPWN 2.2.5 http://blog.iphone-dev.org/.  Make sure you have updated your iPhone 3G to the current 2.2.1 firmware if you haven’t already.  You should also be connected to your Windows computer via the USB cable that came with the iPhone.  When you start QuickPWN 2.2.5 you’ll get a nice GUI.  Simply follow the directions.  I would like to point out that some of the steps you need to follow, to setup your iPhone 3G in various modes, are a little odd and you need to be quick.  For more information about jailbreaking your iPhone do a Google search.

Step 2 Update Cydia

After you jailbreak your iPhone two new applications will be installed on your iPhone.  The first is Cydia.  Cydia is the application installer we will be using in this how-to.  The other application is “Installer” which is another 3rd party application installer like Cydia.  Start Cydia on your iPhone it might take a minute as it will search for any updates available for the Cydia application.  If you get a message about updates available, install them.  For more information about Cydia you can do a Google search.

Step 3 Install iTunes (Required for USB)

To be able to tether your iPhone over USB you will need to install iTunes on the computer you plan to tether it with.  So if you don’t have iTunes on that computer install it now.  I installed it on my netbook so that iTunes sees my iPhone, but I don’t sync or have anything installed content wise, because I use my desktop for all my iPhone 3G backups and management.

Step 4 Install PDAnet (iPhone & Computer)

If your not in Cydia start it, from the start screen of Cydia go to “Featured Packages.”  Scroll down to “Commercial Applications.”  Select “PdaNet” and in the top right corner of your screen click “install.”  This will start the download and installation of PDAnet.  When the install is complete click the “Return to Cydia” button on the bottom of the screen.  You can now exit Cydia and return to the home screen.  You should now have an icon for PDAnet.

Computer:

You will need to install a PDAnet client on your Windows computer to tether over USB.  You can download the client software from the PDAnet website http://www.junefabrics.com/desktop/.  As long as you have iTunes installed you should not have a problem installing the PDAnet software.  When the installation is done you should have a new icon in your taskbar.

Step 5 Tethering it all together

Now you need to connect your iPhone to your computer with the USB cable that came with your iPhone.  Start the PDAnet desktop application if its not running and right-click on the PDAnet icon in your taskbar on your computer.  Click “Connect” and you will now be connected to the 3G network via USB.  You can test your 3G network connection speed by installing the free Speedtest.net application in the Apple Store.

Security Tips:

• Make sure wireless and bluetooth are disabled on your iPhone if they aren’t in use.
• Make sure that wireless and bluetooth are disabled on your laptop if your out in public.
• Use VPN and SSL whenever they are available.  3G isn’t secure its just obscure.

UPDATE:

Revised how-to to reflect current versions of iPhone 3G firmware 2.2.1 and QuickPWN 2.2.5.

I wanted to mention that PDAnet is a commercial application and is available as a trial for 14 days.  After 14 days all services are blocked accept for HTTP.  To register the full version, make sure PdaNet is connected, then go to http://my.iPhone on your computer. The cost of PdaNet is $29 per license.

I know not everyone uses PowerPoint, but for the few that do SlideShare is a great way to share your content online. I have been waiting for Google Documents to have better “presentation” support but at this time its very poor compared to SlideShare.

So if you create PowerPoints, and want an easy way to share them, checkout SlideShare.  If your using PowerPoint 2007 get the “Ribbon” plug-in which is free.  If anyone is using SlideShare or another only presentation service I would like to hear about it in the comments. 

UPDATE: I would also like to let everyone know that to install the plug-in you need Windows .NET Framework 3.5 installed.

Now this isn’t a Linux only issue.  I have another drive on the same system with Windows Vista 64-bit.  In the case of Windows I can install either 32-bit or 64-bit applications on the same host.  I tried to see if that was possible on Ubuntu, and it is to a certain extent.  But it makes the host OS and applications very unstable.  For me it wasn’t worth while since I do use Ubuntu 80% of the time as my main desktop OS.

You would think that at this point 64-bit support would be better.  Apple, since Snow Leopard, has been 64-bit only for the OS.  I know from being a former consultant, that a number of business are still running 16-bit applications, that won’t run on x64 processors like the can on x86 processors.  I also learned, this weekend, that some current 32-bit applications don’t run correctly on 64-bit systems.  In the past I have read about how Microsoft is even trying to push people to 64-bit systems, but users still want 32-bit versions of OSes and software.  With the cost of RAM so little now, I see sub $750 PC’s with 4 or more GB of RAM which are shipping with 64-bit Windows OS you would thing 3rd party vendors would be on-board.

Like so many other things it all comes down to software developers.  If they don’t write rushed, crappy programs, full of security bugs, they write a program that doesn’t run native on computers built in the last 5 years.  I am seeing data that leads me to believe that more “64-bit support” is on the way.  But I can’t say how soon.  Until then all I can say is it’s only a bother now.  But, if the next PC I buy, that has 64-bit support, still has major vendors not on board with x64 applications, it will be another major evolution held back by software companies and it will be more than a bother.

Now its not all doom and gloom with respect to 64-bit support by third-party developers.  For anything from a “workstation” to a “server” deployment in a business environment, the support is pretty good and has been for a number of years.  All the applications that come with regular Ubuntu, are alive and well in the 64-bit version.  All the major server software, database software, and middle-ware are all available with 64-bit support.  This post is only directed with respect to the “desktop” user in a home or SOHO environment for everyday user needs.

I hope to revisit this issue again in the next few months to track the progress and see if someday I can make the leap to “true” x64.  I would like to know about those finding success with Ubuntu in the 64-bit world.  Please post a comment to share your story good or bad.
UPDATE: Adobe has released a 64-bit alpha Linux version of its Flash Player 10

Twitter doesn’t suck just isn’t intuitive.
I started out with Twitter a few years ago but never got much into it.  When you first sign up you end up with an account and nobody to have a conversation with.  Reflecting back it was really depressing when I first start out.  I felt like I was the new kid at school, that everyone knows is trying to meet new people, but still is given a hard time when trying to approach them.

For me I started searching for keywords using Twitter Search and as I found matches I would check each persons profile to see what other Tweets they had made.  If they seemed interesting I would follow them.  After I had a few people to follow I would Tweet into converstatiosn when I had something of value to add.  I’d start out with conversations that seemed professional.  I’m not looking to BS with people online I have a 2 year old to do that with.  I will rag-chew from time to time with people I know but I like to have more “stimulating” dialog with people.

Later I found various Twitter groups and started to following one group that of interest to me.  After a while I added myself to the group index and that introduced me to a lot of new people.  That helped me find more conversations about topics that interest me.  I have started building my own Twitter group for one of my many hobbies.  Once I get that going I’ll be sure to share what I learned.

LinkedIn is better then posting your resume on your own website.
At the end of every year I usually take some time to update my resume.  In the last 8 years I have learned that if the axe is going to fall, it will be near the end of year, to get everyone off payroll before the new year.  I have been very lucky to make it through many “downsizings”, “rightsizing” and just regular “layoffs.”  In an effort to be somewhat proactive, I usually update my resume and post it on a few job boards just to see what is out there.

Well a few years ago I found LinkedIn which allows me to post something like a resume in a central place and network with people I meet including coworkers, bosses, ex-coworkers, ex-bosses, etc.  I allows you to build references (which I am still working on) and grow your professional network.  Over the years I have learned its more about who you know then what you know.  If you don’t know about the good jobs then it doesn’t matter how skilled you are.  I have even had a few companies contact me after finding my profile on LinkedIn.  I was really pleased to know that my skills and experience are in demand.  But due to my current curcumstances and the economy things haven’t line up.  Either its a job that doesn’t meet my personal needs (flexability) or its a job that doesn’t meet my financial needs (everyone is trying to get a bargin).  But its still a kick to feel wanted.

MySpace is dead the future is Facebook (future being the next 18 months ).
I had a MySpace account a while back.  After finding all the people I hadn’t talked to in 20 years I deleted my account.  I learned why I hadn’t tried to contact people from my past in 20 years.  It was because people change and sometimes thats a good thing and sometimes that bad thing.  To see that the people I thought were “cool” or people I wish would be my “friends” turned out pretty bad was a little gratifying.  A few turned out good and I wish them all the best.  But like my past aquantances, MySpace was also something I really didn’t want to be part of anymore.  For me it turned into a screwed up pandora’s box of stuff I have worked really hard to move past.

So I moved over to Facebook which is at least until recently a little more starile then MySpace.  Even if I wasn’t a security geek (hate XSS), I really hate most of the “themes” I see on peoples profiles.  With Facebook I have been able to take some of the professional connections I have made on LinkedIn and Twitter and connect on a more personal,yet still professional level with people.

What was the point of this post?
Social networks have been all the buzz for the last few years but until recently only the Gen Y crowed used them. Now everyone else is starting to join which adds a little more to the quality of the social networks.  So if you have been on the sidelines of social networking or just been a lurker, wade on in the water is fine.  I would suggest using Twitter for random Q&A stuff.  I find myself using Twitter to get answers to some things rather than Google.  That is assuming you have a group of knowledgable people to Tweet.

If your a professional with a resume in any field I would give LinkedIn a try.  Job boards are great but I think its better if a company finds you rather then you trying to find a company.  If you start to build bonds with people on Twitter or LinkedIn see if they are members on Facebook.  You will be surprise how many people have Facebook accounts.

Just remember the Internet is not a safe place and anything you post online could be viewed by friends, family, bosses or future employers.  So have fun, build connections, but keep your sensitive and private information protected at all times.  Also never trust anyone you meet online.  Even with some of the people I network with now, I keep at arms length.  It’s a wild world online which is why it’s so fun.

If you use Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook I would like to hear about how your using social networking and what tips you have to share with others in the comments section.

Technorati Tags: Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook

At this time I am not aware of a fix.  I am also not sure what VMware is planning on doing or if anyone is working with Ubuntu on the issue.  If you need to run a working Ubuntu desktop in VMware, I would stay with 8.04.1 for the time being.  I would only suggest people upgrade to 8.10 if they are doing an install onto a physical (not virtual) machine at this time.

I did try to install 8.10 in VMware Workstation 6.5 and got the same error during the VMware Tools install.  So again just stay on 8.04.1 for now and upgrade to 8.10 in VMware in the future.  If anyone finds a fix to this please post it in the comments.

I like OpenBSD and FreeBSD but I like them in different ways from Linux.  I like Linux as a regular client or server OS.  But for infrastructure roles I’m a BSD fan.  DNS, Firewall, BGP, NTP, CSV, etc. when I have the choice I prefer to use BSD

So if you have been playing with Linux for a while, but never tried BSD, I would suggest you check out OpenBSD or even FreeBSD to see what they have to offer.

After taking a closer look at my upgrade it seems I did have some stuff break.  I have a rule that if it takes more than 30 minutes to troubleshoot/repair I just wipe the system and start over.  That is what backups are for anyways right?  It helps keep my “recovery” skills tuned.

Also if you haven’t checked out TF they have a pretty good site.  Remember to get good Torrent karma you need to seed until you have a 1.0 ratio.  I tried to give a little more and killed my seeds after reaching a 3.0 ratio.