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Watch out iTunes here comes Amazon

I just discovered today that Amazon is now into the play on demand service. They are offering TV shows and Movies for download in a pay-per-24 hour format. You can get 24, CSI, and a slew of other shows right to your PC. iTunes has had this for a while, but now Amazon has jumped in. This is a great thing as the more competition, the better for the consumer. Of course the best thing is not having to watch the ads that you get on over-the-air TV.

You can check it out here:

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Behind-the-scenes: Space Shuttle’s Safety-Critical Software

This is an older article, but one I always reference. Most people are impressed with things like Microsoft Software, but this article shows that commercial software is kids play compared to Space Shuttle launch software.

The inspiring article discusses the rigorous software development process NASA goes through to develop software for the Shuttle. Although being very expensive, the software is nearly flawless due to the SEI level 5 development process and runs on a quad-redundant system. This process lets the low-key engineers lead normal 8-5 lives.

read more | digg story

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CBS looks at Vista

Windows Visa was released today. Without a roar. Here are some videos from CBS news:

CBS takes a look at Vista. A few videos.

read more | digg story

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Death(star) by PowerPoint

Here is an amusing one for any of you that use PowerPoint:

How they use PowerPoint in the Star Wars universe. Be sure to watch for the evil blue screen ‘o death.

Watch it here!

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The new web interfaces

Remember how your parents carefully read the instructions….

Do you read instructions or do you just start using the features and learn as you go along….?

This is an interesting article on how the new Web2.0 interfaces are continuing to bring new features, intuitiveness, and complexity hidden beneath a simple interface. Take a read here….

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Top 10 Places Your Email Can Be Intercepted

Here is a good article on how to spot where you might have your email read by someone else!

Top 10 Places Your Email Can Be Intercepted

The Internet has radically changed the way we communicate with each other. Email is obviously an extremely valuable and ubiquitous form of communication, but with this technology comes certain pitfalls that should be understood. The path that an email message takes to reach its recipient is a complex and varying one, and while in transit that message may come under the potential scrutiny of numerous different people and organizations.
Read the whole article here

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Where I’ve been

I found a cool website that lets you grid the places you’ve been. As I have traveled quite a bit, it was fun trying to remember the different adventures I’ve had and where I went.

Below is a representation of the states I have visited. In the early 90’s I took a tour around the US that hit most of the perimeter of the 48 states.

create your own visited states map

I have also done a lot of traveling, with mostly Asian places in the last 12 years. Here is that map:

create your own visited countries map

Fun Stuff remembering your travels!

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The new look of Las Vegas

I am writing from my hotel in Las Vegas. It has been about six months since I was last here. I have family here so I come to Vegas every so often.

Las Vegas
My typical visit to Las Vegas is really a visit to suburbia. I pass by the strip and go to the track homes.
This time however, I am staying at the MGM hotel. Taking in the restaurants and the casinos. I did get to visit family, but staying in the hotel had reminded me why thousands flock to Vegas. Such indulgence! Good food, entertainment, and relaxing opportunities.
Oh my stay is too short. I say this with each holiday, but I really want to come back for an extended stay. I only wish that the drive were shorter.

If you haven’t been to Vegas in a while you will be surprised! There are new hotels everywhere. In only 6 months, so much has changed. The strip is migrating south. There a new resort casino called South Point. It is so far south from the old entry to the strip that it is a couple miles south of the old welcome to Las Vegas sign.
That is all for now. Give Vegas a try and stay for a while. You will enjoy yourself.

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24 is almost back!!

Be sure to watch the trailer. It looks great!

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Firefox still topping the browser list

There is a site that tracks browser usage based on the people hitting the site. So the more people visiting the more accurate. Take a look! So far Firefox is dominating the pack.

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