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Thoughts and things I care to shareThe one thing holding me to Microsoft Outlook
I’ve come to the conclusion that there is only one feature in Outlook that is holding me to it at the moment. Can you help convince me that it’s time to drop Outlook?
See, I’ve been a longtime user and proponent of Microsoft software. It’s actually really good software, and a decent value… for the enterprise. For personal use, it’s long been questionable whether one needs such overblown feature laden software.
Also, Microsoft’s software is what I’d built my technical career on – and still rely on. It solves business needs, and integrates together very nicely. I’m not claming it’s the best-of-breed, or that it’s the most intuitive. It’s simply been the best value proposition for most businesses when compared to other shipping options, personal opinions aside.
Anyway, want to know what that one feature is? The ability to sync the contact list to a Windows Mobile phone. In nearly a decade, it has simply worked time and time and time again. It’s only failed me on one occasion, which was a user-instigated problem (I goofed up). In all these years, my phonebook has always been up to date and consistently backed up with changes replicated back and forth with no effort or thought about it on my part.
All my mail is online, I’ve moved my calendar to Google calendar, and all the rest – but the one thing left is that sync of my trusty T-Mobile MDA’s phonebook. With the MDA at 2 years old, I’m soon to replace it too – and it’s likely not to be a Windows Mobile phone… so is it time? Should my friends perform an intervention? Can I do it? Will I have get the shakes? I’ll keep you posted. 
Addiction photo credit: Mr Gonzales
Adobe AIR & Windows Vista
I’ve been enjoying some of the Adobe AIR apps during it’s development over the past year. Among several Twitter clients that have popped up in the last few months running on AIR, I’ve really enjoyed Twhirl.
Now, if you’re a Twitter user, you know that its a great way to share links and more. Works great – except when you’ve set a browser other than Microsoft’s Internet Explorer as the default web browser. I happen to be partial to Firefox, and use it constantly, so when an Adobe AIR based app launches IE when I click a shared link – it’s upsetting.
Luckily in the final version there is an Adobe KB article with instructions on how to fix that problem. Personally I think their reason that it doesn’t work in the first place is lame:
Windows Vista does not make the required additional registry entries correctly when a browser other than Internet Explorer is set as the default browser. When an attempt to load the URL is made, Adobe AIR uses Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) to connect to an open instance of the browser registered for URL requests. If that fails, Adobe AIR falls back on Shell Execution.
Other non-Microsoft (and Microsoft!) applications have consistently and successfully launched the correct browser for me. Why not AIR?
At any rate, here is how to fix the problem.
- Launch “Default Programs” off the Vista Start Menu
- Click on “Set Program Access And Computer Defaults” in the Default Programs dialog
- Select “Custom” from the list and choose your preferred browser from the list of recognized installed browsers.
- Click OK and your done.
Next time you launch your AIR app, you will be able to follow links and have them load in your preferred browser.
links for 2008-02-25
- It’ll be interesting to see what Microsoft comes up with to compete with Firefox in this generation of the browser. Of course this time around we have Apple’s Safari and the Opera browser to compare with too.
I’m sure IE8 doesn’t look very different,
- Twitter is useful for friends, co-workers, event planners, social media gurus, or people simply sharing things in life. Oh, and it simply rocks.
Mathew Ingram follows up on some new Twitter users that have “found the light” and are now singing it’s pr
- I know this post is from last October, but I was reading it again, and just had to link to it. There are some great take-aways for traditional IT types to learn from.
- Steve Rubel tries out a lifesourcing experiment and finds the results rewarding. Have you tried outsourcing small jobs you don’t have time for?
- Jeremiah Owyang lists 3 “Impossible” Conversations for Corporations. Good read.
- Syncy is covered by TechCrunch writer Roi Carthy. Looks like an interesting service that may provide real value to those looking to not only sync their phone address/contact information, but also use that as the basis for a social network.
- ArsTechnica takes a look at Ubuntu 8.04 alpha 5 release. There are some interesting new features, especially for dual-booting with Windows.
- Read/Write Web has the scoop on Adobe’s announcement of AIR, Flex3 and Blaze DS today.
links for 2008-02-23
- Bernard Lunn of Read/Write Web is starting to get more adventurous with Google Docs…
links for 2008-02-22
- Liz Strauss is highlighting a series of posts by Geatano Caruana on the topic of procrastination.
I really should read this series as it would probably help me out – but I think I’ll put it off until tomorrow.
KIDDING!!! 😉
- This is a great development in the OneCare service. Now if they can tie this into the Windows Home Server and tack on an online WHS backup service – that’d be great.
- A fair question.
- All hail Google… so the corner has been turned. Frederic provides his take on the topic
- Polaroid’s Instant Film will be phased out in 2008 – the end of an era.
Deep in the doldrums of winter
I think it’s really that part of February that starts to effect everyone. I’ve been reading it around the ‘net the past week or so. Posts on enthusiasm, procrastination, motivation, etc… we’re all looking to break out of the same winter blandness and get cranking again. At least that’s what it feels like.
March is a couple weeks away, and even then, winter still has a firm grasp up until the end of the month in many places. We’re affected by the surroundings and the weather can play a big part in how active we are.
Maybe it’s just me – I’ve been “heads down” this winter at a client for the most part, getting the job done. Come April, that’ll change to a new client and we’ll start planning for the spring vacation and such. I’m starting to get antsy for not only warm weather, but to get more active with my favorite bloggers and social media friends.
To all those that have been keeping the posts rolling this winter, working to motivate people and make things happen – thank you! I’m constantly amazed at the energy level that many people have this time of year – you’re an inspiration!
Anyone feeling the same way? Have some great plans to share for spring? Whatever you’ve got planned for the coming weeks I wish you well. 🙂
The Asus Eee PC – Is this the real cloud computing client?
While it’s been out for awhile now, and I’ve read a quite a bit on it – only last night did it really hit me how useful this device may be. The little device with an instant-on capability that can be had for as little as $300 is getting rave reviews by just about everyone. Especially those that have been using one.
I’m thinking this is the perfect device to provide the grab-and-go needs that I have nearly daily. My laptop is great, but it’s always set up and running either at home or work. With a second device, I could simply grab it and head off to anywhere and still be able to take notes, read feeds, blog, write manuals, perform remote-control support as needed all in a 2 pound package.
Guess we’ll find out more about it this week. While mentioning it to Amy, she pointed out how nice it’d be to have a smaller device for herself to be able to use around the house and such. The interesting part was that after pointing out all the “deficiencies” in the device, like no storage space, slower processor, Linux instead of Windows, small screen resolution, etc… she was still really interested in the device. We’ll be off later today to try a hands-on with one to see what she and our daughter think of them.
At any rate, using nLite, I’ve built a small Windows XP build (533MB installed)that may fit nicely even on the extremely storage challenged Eee PC 2GB Surf model. Personally though, I’m interested in looking at getting Ubuntu loaded on it.
Anyone else have one, or thinking about getting one? I’d love to know your thoughts on this super-inexpensive and uber- portable device.
Two years and counting: RickMahn.com
Yep, two years ago today I posted my first post here on RickMahn.com. Friends and coworkers thought it was a tad self-centered at the time, and I did feel a little uncomfortable launching a blog with my name. However, starting my third year with this site, I think the content I generate (when I’m productive 😉 ), fits more than just my own needs. The experience working on my own personal brand and career allows me to share what I learn, and meet many, many more interesting and knowledgeable people.
So, my first post was on February 17th, 2006 where I said hello:
Welcome to the culmination of my blogging efforts for the past year. RickMahn.com is the place where I will talk about daily events in the technology space and blogosphere. About work, a little about life, and sprinkled with a few rants on occasion.
The reason for starting a new blog is both simple and complex. I’ve been using a number of blogging tools (Blogger, WordPress.com, MSN Spaces) with differing results. I’ve come to the conclusion that Blogger.com currently was the most flexible, WordPress.com the most powerful, and MSN Spaces – well… oh my, look at the time.
So after a lot of research, learning new technologies, blogging, thinking, and figuring costs and such, I’ve set up shop here at www.rickmahn.com. I’ll be here mostly every day posting on things that I find interesting, interacting in the blogosphere, commenting on others’ posts and so on.
So, come on back from time to time and check out what I’m doing – drop a line and let me know what’s good and what’s bad. See ya round the ‘net!
So, that’s a quick look back to the beginning of my personal blog, though I did start blogging a little over a year earlier in December of 2004 with a MSN Spaces blog. Learned a lot since then! 😛
I’d like to take a minute and thank everyone who continues to stop by. I plan on keeping relevant content on social media, personal branding, some technology stuff, and a few selfish posts on what makes me happy. Cheers folks and onward into year three!
Happiness CXXIII
Blogging.
links for 2008-02-13
- It never seems to come easy for AMD, no matter the time or product line. Dell has thrown a curve ball in only selling AMD based units at retail. How does AMD compare at retail? Read and find out.
@MAC_Arms Pay taxes when you make your money, pay taxes when you spend your money, pay taxes when you successfully invest your money, pay taxes when you save enough taxed money to afford a house, pay taxes to live in your house, pay taxes when you sell the house that you paid taxes on to
Yup, taxes are criminal and we need serious reforms. I've always said that if you want to see a tax revolt, make withholdings illegal and have Americans write a tax check every payday. They'll revolt for sure. You don't miss what you never had.
I think it’s safe to say that @GovEvers should stop blocking audits in Wisconsin and open the books…
“Only AMERICAN citizens should vote.”
Sen. @berniemoreno says voter ID and proof of citizenship are simply common sense.
“We’re talking about a very low threshold — identify who you are and prove you’re a U.S. citizen when you register to vote. I think we’re getting closer to
Wrong. Democrats are solely responsible for hours-long airport lines.
They voted to defund TSA three times and won’t even entertain a conversation about reopening it. Why?
They’re using it as leverage to stop enforcing immigration laws.