There are certainly plenty of marks left to make on the computing ability scorecard, but I think we’ve hit a really important milestone with computing functionality as a whole. This point becomes quite obvious to me when we look at competition. Take for instance a personal computer. A great example is the Mac and the PC. Functionality wise they are the same. You can do the same things – browse the internet, send email, word process, store data, work with graphics, etc, and with virtual operating system apps , most everything becomes multi platform.

So where does Apple and Microsoft compete for the “average home PC user”? These days it’s all about vanity! It’s the presentation of the functionally that people are comparing when they do their window(s) shopping, and we all know sex sells. The sexier the hardware gets and the prettier the software is, the more likely that Susie shopper is going to take you home, and she won’t care if you’re running on Vista or OS X.

I was further reminded of this shift when running around in Tafiti (now publicly available), Microsoft’s go at Google’s search – more so an effort to show off Silverlight, a cross-browser, cross-platform plug-in for delivering the next generation of Microsoft .NET–based media experiences and rich interactive applications for the Web. I played around with it for some time and minus a few hiccups and some very silly features, I totally dig it.

Though I can type “Prada” in Google and find the exact thing I am looking for, Tafiti gives it to me with a pretty red bow and some soothing eye candy instead of a long list of results jumbled together. Your search results are separated by Feeds, Web, Images, Books, and News visualized and navigated by a carousel of icons on the left, and you can save and name your individual searches be dragging them to a “glass shelf” on the right side of the screen. Expanding the categorical search results is brilliant and the presentation of those results is really slick, specifically the News and the Feeds.

It’s not entirely intuitive at first, and I wouldn’t suggest trying it in Firefox quite yet, It’s definitely not ready for prime time Mozilla. The funniest thing, is the entirely irrelevant tree view. It’s more like a stereogram that you have to stare at for a really long and are supposed to see a picture in the design but can’t quite make anything out unless you try the “averted” focus tactic. Your most relevant results are at the top of the tree, least relevant at the bottom and the tree slowly spins about on a vertical axis while the branches wave up and down as if blowing in a sweet warm search results breeze. The leaves will begin to change color and you fall comfortable to sleep while trying to find the point to all, and instead will simply prove that you really can’t see the forest through the trees.

All in all - it serves a great purpose showing off some cool ways to display and move things around with Silverlight and certainly takes a stab at Google search even though I don’t see it delivering any fatal wounds.

Tafiti means to search in Swahili.

Kiss Kiss,

Dawngrrl Gametart

That’s right peeps, NomandISP, headquartered right here in our very own quickly-trying-to-be-metro-cool Boise, continues to add WIFI antennas throughout the wilderness so we can camp and stay connected, and I say “Bravo!”

“Anybody with an 802.11 (b) or (g) enabled wireless device such as a laptop or PDA may instantly become connected to the internet, and subscribe to the NomadISP user network. This may be accomplished while visiting any NomadISP-enabled location or from the convenience of your home PC, especially if you are planning to visit one of our Hotspot-enabled locations in the near future. Registration is always free; there are no obligations or connection fees, although user duration limits may vary between NomadISP-enabled locations. We ensure a hassle free surfing experience.”

Why all the controversy? On my drive to work this morning the topic was discussed on the 103.3 morning radio show with the consensus that surfing in the wilderness is all wrong. That is somehow offends very nature of…nature. Surely, this can’t be some purest or naturalist protest, with your microwave embedded RV’s, beer coolers, lounge chairs and port-a-potties. Share the love man, don’t we deserve a little one with nature time too?

What about the students that have to study or work on a research paper than can now continue their education next to a beautiful lake in the relaxing middle of nowhere? What about the geeks, bloggers, nerds, and cyber slaves of the world that can take baby steps towards the big beautiful freedom of the great outdoors without having to fear internet withdrawal symptoms? What about the fathers who have tell doe eyed children that he can’t take them camping this weekend because he has to stay home and work?

No way Jack! Let’s liberate the masses from the mainframe, let’s cut the cord and part the cyber sea!! LET MY PEOPLE GO!!!!!!!! Camping…

Kiss Kiss

Dawngrrl Gametart

Hell if I know!  I’ve been listening to discussion on it, reading about it, and talking about it at the water cooler for a while now and still, I’m not entirely sure.  DRM is a gray and hazy bunch of things and people and organizations and stuff to protect media content generators.  yeah, that. 

I have no interest in any way shape or form in being the voice of the consumer, an economic force of change, or to have an effect one way or the other on the pricing, profit, or loss of any media content producing\delivering entity.  I  just want 300 in HD when it’s released.  I want it, and a premium price tag won’t deter me from sportin it up to the checkstand.  

I also want a beautiful vacation home on the beach in Mexico.  I can reasonably buy the DVD of 300, not so sure that beach front property fits in with my budget.  I may consider a time share, or a romp at a good old fashion resort, but I seriously doubt (no matter how badly I want it) that I will seek out a code to unlock Mexico so that I can have it, because it’s just not fair that I can’t afford it…those big mean corporate capitalist jerks….CONSPIRACY!

Eh, so the scale is not quite comparable, I get it, but stealing is stealing, so shut up.  Seriously, shut up, I don’t want to hear it.  Buy them used, or buy them new when you can afford them, but unless you want to be that voice of consumer dictate and lobby, poll, and build your own company or not-for-profit: Save The Little People, Inc., then just shut up.  If you think the price is too high, don’t buy it, and there’s the rub.  You can walk out of Best Buy feeling good about yourself for refusing to pay top dollar for the new release of Dreamgirls. That works, shockingly.  The “stick it to the man” mentality over a $15.99 DVD is a bit too woe-is-me, dontcha think? 

You follow me so far?  Whether or not I buy something is *my* choice, and I like it that way.  My only concern is what I can do with it after I’ve paid my 2 for 10 dollars.   I won’t sell it or distribute it, but I do want my media available from any of my devices, at any time.  Entertainment doesn’t do anything but entertain.  It’s not software, and I am not a fan of having to read a ULA for the new Avril Lavigne CD to make sure I can rip it to my laptop, stream it through my 360, or dock it on my ipod in in the car.  A grrl can dream. 

BTW, the hot chick in the Google tank - totally unrelated - I just thought the shirt was totally fetch!

Kiss Kiss,

Dawngrrl Gametart

Check out the new Podcast with Microsoft’s Dan Fernandez on Visual Stydio Express!  We spoke to Dan to get a better idea of the express versions uses, limitations, and purpose in the industry.  Some this interview is a bit past the casual listeners grasp (even a bit past mine!) if your not a developer, but the point serves a great purpose.  This is an amazing place for you or your kids to go to start learning how to do you own development.  From A to Z you get the tools and the software all in one place!  The best news: it’s all free - from programming windows applications, web development, and even XBOX 360 game development!  Check out the learning development center also and send your video gaming teen to the Kids Corner!  

Kiss Kiss,

Dawngrrl Gametart

Your retail version of Vista, or otherwise legally acquired Vista install DVD, is not limited to using the version you bought: Microsoft allows you to install almost any version of Vista–Vista Home Basic, Home Basic N, Home Premium, Business, Business N, or Ultimate editions–using any Vista install DVD. There’s just one limitation: If you install a version of Vista you didn’t purchase, you only have 30 days (by default) to run the OS before it will move into reduced functionality mode. (If you do install the version you purchased, you can activate Vista before that happens.) Here’s how to do it: Boot your system with the Vista install DVD, advance to the Install Windows screen, and click Install Now. At the screen where you enter your product key, don’t do so. Setup will let you select the product edition to install. Be careful reading the next dialog that appears because it’s awkwardly worded. (Microsoft kind and caringly wants you to be very careful before you install the wrong version.)  This will let you evaluate the different versions if you want to compare features for yourself as opposed to reading the 8 billion reviews and version comparisons online.  More Vista Tips.

Kiss Kiss,

Dawngrrl Gametart