Bad Ideas Reinvented: Opera Unite is the new Kazaa?
Why is Opera trying to launch a file-sharing service in their browser? I like Opera; I'm using it right now. I just don't understand how this won't devolve in to massive networked illegal activity withot active moderation. And then, if the service is actively moderated, aren't we still at the mercy of some stranger middlemen? So either they want to start a war with a variety of IP holders or they're wasting their time with a gimmick that won't catch on. The only way to truly get away from middlemen is wire everyone up on the same base router and call it a day. Suffice to say, that's a horrible plan vastly inferior to the working situation. What's so wrong with servers? I don't see how they're controlling anything but their own content. The real issue is if the government decides to start filtering/censoring various content (much like China). My problem is, I feel like I understand their "vision" but I think they're just idiots. What say ye? Am I just not getting it? Have I been jaded by Mozilla's Aurora concept and expect a too high a standard from browser companies?
Side Note: Opera 10.5b is some sort of hotness (get it with the custom Aero Glass skin).
Addendum: Opera went crazy on me for a second and I almost lost this post. It clearly doesn't like WordPress. Probably some non-standard CSS/JS/HTML in this complex monstrosity that is one of the best blogging engines around. However, WordPress had a copy of the draft so it's all good.
Old News is Old: Google Voice + Gizmo5
So I was looking in to ways to keep in touch in case I get accepted to JET and had be pretty much betting on using Skype. Now I find out Google Voice had acquired the internet service people were using as an intermediary to connect their Google Voice number with Skype. Basically Gizmo5 can forward any calls they receive to Skype and they link with Google Voice. Now in the near future we can pretty much bet there won't be a second step, just drop your Skype account in to Google Voice.
What does this mean? Provided I can get Wifi access, I'll have the equivalent of a free cell phone. That doesn't really mean much if you're in rural Japan but anytime I'm home or maybe in the city areas, I should be good to go. Definitely something I'm going to test out if when I get my hands on an N900.
Oh yeah, Merry Christmas blouses. I hope everyone got a pair of Space Jam Jordans. I know I didn't...
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Faulty Technology: Monitors
So I finally broke down and did some web development today. The good side: I'm being productive. The bad side: I realized my shiny 22" monitor is brighter at the bottom than at the top of the screen. I don't know if it was always like this or the numerous transports to and from school had something to do with it. Yes, I always repackage my monitor before travel but who knows what could happen with the fragile technology of today.
How do I notice now and not before? Well when you're watching movies and tv in HD, you gawk at the crispness and then keep watching the show. When you're doing any sort of graphic design you're maximizing your desktop space and in my case, comparing the graphic prototype to the HTML creation.
At first, I thought that the color I selected was not HTML web-safe and consequently displayed in two different shades. That happens. However, I dragged the the windows around and low and behold, they are not two different shades.
This problem isn't super uncommon. In fact, I would bet that a lot more people have this issue and they just never notice. I've had this monitor for almost a year and just finally noticed. You have to really be paying attention and know that the two colors should be the same. Black doesn't really work because it's widespread knowledge that monitors don't always spread a uniform black.
What now? Nothing, I continue finishing this site design and I live with the fact that my top and bottom will always mismatch. At least now I have reasonable incentive for a new 24" or better yet a quality 30" behemoth.
