January 2008 Archives

Just ran across this little device, set to debut at this month's DEMO conference.  It's not the *first* digital pen I've seen (in fact, I remember a device like that sometime in the late 90s timeframe), but given current technology, it does a whole lot more.

Video: Livescribe aims to rewrite computing history

The title of the video makes it seem revolutionary (call it creative license on CNet's part), however, I like the way it's sort of an evolution of the pen. 

I've always been in favor of writing things down, and honestly, it's my preferred notetaking medium.  There's such an opportunity for expression that's just lost on the bits/pixels in Notepad++ or Office OneNote.  I mean, how can you convey utter amazement or disgust better than leaning on a pen while taking a quick note?

So, given the above melding of the pen, the computer, and voice recording (a feature that the Livescribe CEO touts in the above video), could it be I've found the missing link between my love of computers with my love for the good ole pen?

Imagine, buying one of these sets for every MBA student and having them take notes in class this way.  They get a lot more context because they can hear what was going on in the room when they took that particular note!  Could they even sync up their recorded audio-playback with a classroom recording from the Wharton Video Network and get the visual cues, too?

At $150 for the 1GB model, it might be worth checking out!  Besides, who doesn't love Microdots?

For the love of the Interwebs, does anyone know why in IE7 on Vista I can no longer use Shift-Tab to maneuver between web forms?

I've had enough; Microsoft, don't make me start using Mozilla Firefox!

Just ran into this announcement/blogpost on CNet's Newsblog (when did a blog entry start qualifying as an announcement?).

Looks like SQL Server 2008 has been delayed until the second-half of 2008!  What does this mean for us?  Well, it means we can hopefully delay the inexorable thrust to getting the latest and greatest database technologies in-house, and actually develop really mature standards around the existing and in-production database platforms that we have running.

The SQL Admins might have a better statement on that front, but basically, we're still in the throes of a migration from SQL 2000 to SQL 2005, so thinking of how to migrate from 2005 to 2008 seems quixotic.

Here's a link to Microsoft's SQL Server 2008 Product Overview.  While I'm a little removed from the compelling developer/application-centric features of the SQL-sphere, as a Sysadmin, I'm liking the sound of the: Resource Governor, backup and database compression, and transparent data encryption.

What new features in SQL 2008 are you looking forward to the most?

Just came back from watching Juno, that new film starring Ellen Page, and co-starring one of my favorites actors, Allison Janney.  You may remember Ellen Page in her seminal role as Kitty Pryde (aka Shadowcat) in the last two of the X-Men movies.

Anyway, my takeaway from the movie is that it's okay to be a little strange and a little goofy and a little difficult, and that you can absolutely feel comfortable in your own skin.

Strangely, and I said this to Boyfriend in the parking lot afterwards, sucking down some emotion via an Ultra Light, Juno made me want to work more at being the best possible employee at Wharton Computing.

Is that a sign to start saving for the $100,000 therapy bill?  Am I crazy for actually loving my job so much that I feel motivated by a movie about teenage pregnancy?

Both of those are rhetorical, people.  Don't make me shut off comments!

So, I'm actually down in Round Rock, TX, attending a Dell Executive Briefing, today and tomorrow.  I'm sitting in the hotel room catching up on my RSS feeds, and one thing caught my eye:

Dell continues the innovation in Blade technology (via BladeWatch)

First, I have to give mad props to the BladeWatch blog.  It's, generally speaking, an aggregation of a lot of the DataCenter consolidation news around the interwebs, focusing on Blade Technology, but also Virtualization of every flavor.  It has a unique slant, which I appreciate, towards "Green IT", something I'm completely in favor of and hold quite dear.

I'll be learning more about the M1000e and M600 line of Blades and enclosures from Dell tomorrow, but I'm immediately excited by what I see on their website.  Finally, I think Dell has a Blade product-line that can really compete with the IBM BladeCenters that we've been running for years.

Oh, and you can buy them now!  Girlz?  Why didn't we hear about this *before* we bought that latest round of R900s for Project Bubblewrap?!?  Oh, and they run more efficiently than the other guys.  SUH-WEET!

Check out Dell's Blade Server Product Page for the current spec.  Also, check out that sweet step-by-step (pdf) on the unboxing of the Blades chassis from Dell, HP, and IBM.  I can *fully* corroborate the almost bass-ackwards packaging and process for the IBM BladeCenter chassis.  Awkward!

Saw an interesting article up on the Windows IT Pro website about Microsoft and Dell partnering with (PRODUCT)^RED [via WikiPedia], which you may be more familiar with on the consumer products sides of things, with retailers like the Gap and Motorola licensing the (PRODUCT)^RED brand as a way of raising money for various African continent humanitarian initiatives.

Probably the most visible aspect of the brand is emphasis on HIV/AIDS policies and practices (one of Product Red's main principles).

Dell will be releasing a RED-branded hardware, and Microsoft will include a RED-branded version of Vista Ultimate, available only on that RED-branded Dell hardware.

As a former Student Health Educator at the University, I'm keenly sensitive to the issues surrounding the spread, prevention, and education of HIV/AIDS on College campuses. But, the pandemic of this horrific disease in the developing world (and in underserved populations in our own cities), means to me that there is so much left to do.

Hopefully, this announcement from Microsoft and Dell is just the vanguard of a legion of another partnerships with mega-corporations we all know and love.

Who knows? Is a (PRODUCT)^RED Wharton Lab, 100% comprised of these Dell computers in our near future?

Read more about the (PRODUCT)^RED announcement from Microsoft and Dell and maybe purchase a computer or two to support the cause [Windows IT Pro] [Dell].