according to jeff

As faithful readers will recall from a previous article, I have managed to retire my old Windows PC and Windows laptop, and am now getting along quite well with only my MacBook.

Unfortunately, I am not completely divorced from Windows. I’ve been doing some work related to Windows Phone 7 (which may eventually turn out to be used on the new Windows 8, who knows?). This requires that I run some development tools from Microsoft that work on Windows, not Mac. And that requires that I either (a) have a Windows computer or (b) be able to run Windows on my MacBook. I’ve opted for the second option, and am running Windows 7 as a virtual machine using Parallels Desktop. This is great (well, sort of), as it lets me run the needed Windows programs along side my Mac programs.

Unfortunately, both Microsoft and everyone on the Internet (except one guy) believe that the Windows Phone Emulator, which is itself a virtual machine, will not run within a virtual machine. Or, in other words, the Windows Phone emulator won’t run on my MacBook. For a while, I was able to somehow thwart that and run the emulator, although quite slowly, but after a Parallels upgrade, I cannot.

Since I cannot run the emulator, I cannot test any of the code that I’ve written to verify that it actually works. Since it’s important to know that the code actually works, I need to be able to run it. Since the emulator won’t run, I need to run it on an actual Windows Phone.

And this long introduction brings us to the title of this article: Nokia Lumia 800.

Not wanting to commit to swapping my iPhone for a Windows Phone, I shopped for an “unlocked” phone — a phone that does not come with a contract or a carrier. There were many such phones using the 7.0 version of the OS available, but I opted to buy one with the newest OS, 7.5, code named “mango”. All the phone needs to make it a phone is a SIM card, associating it with a phone number and a contract. However, it can also be used without a SIM card, in which case everything except the phone works. That’s the way I’ll be using it.

I opted for a Nokia Lumia 800, and placed an order from amazon.com.

It arrived yesterday. The first thing I noticed was that the box contained both another box (the phone) and an electrical adapter. “Uh oh,” I thought, “this is a European phone.” Sure enough, the included power charger needs the adapter to fit a standard US outlet.

The next thing I noticed was when I turned on the phone. The interface was in German. I poked around a little bit, and was somehow able to find the settings to turn it into “English (US)”.

The next thing I noticed was that the Quick Start Guide was also written in German. Fortunately, a google search quickly found an English user guide in PDF format. Score for google!

The next thing I noticed was that the micro-USB port is cleverly hidden behind a hatch that doesn’t appear to be a hatch. After performing a maneuver that I would have thought might break something (except that I’d read about it in the user guide), I was able to find the USB port and charge the phone using the included charger and adapter.

The next thing I noticed was that it didn’t include a CD or any other additional software. Having found the English user guide online, however, I was able to determine that I needed to download and install the Zune software. Easily done, and Zune connected to the phone without troubles. Nice!

Which gets me to the phone itself. It looks nice and feels nice. I’m getting used to the Windows Phone interface. It just takes poking and pressing things until I discover what works. For instance, after setting it up to monitor my Facebook account, I wanted to also set it up to monitor my Twitter account. Finding the “add account” option wasn’t obvious, but with enough poking and prodding, it was discovered.

I’ve read some reviews of people that switched from iPhone to Windows Phone, and think the Windows Phone is more elegant. My initial impression doesn’t support that, but I’m willing to give it more time. Maybe with more poking and prodding, it will grow on me.

I surprised Lu with a Kindle Fire this week. When Amazon sent out an email announcing that they were accepting pre-orders, I immediately responded. Amazon.com is listing the Kindle Fire as in stock, so either there wasn’t a huge response, or Amazon was able to keep up with the orders.

After using the Kindle Fire for just a short time, Lu said of it, “Wow, this is so easy!”

That’s high praise.

I confess that I kind of like it, too. I’m still a big fan of my iPad, but there are several nice things about the Kindle. For instance, the size of the Kindle is better suited to reading than the iPad. It more closely approximates the size of a book. The Web browser seems fine; setting up email was extremely easy. As an Amazon prime member, Lu should be able to watch some video content. (I haven’t tried it yet.)

A significant difference between the Kindle and Kindle Fire is the battery. I can use my Kindle for two or three weeks without even thinking about needing to charge the battery. The Kindle Fire, on the other hand, needs to be charged every day or two. In this sense, it is similar to the iPad, which also needs regular charging.

For simplifying our hot and cold beverage preparation and helping us reclaim some countertop space, the Keurig single-cup brewer has made the nice list.

This brewer has replaced three appliances:

1. A Capresso grinder and coffee maker, used to make a pot of coffee
2. A Mr. Coffee iced tea maker, used to make a pitcher of iced tea
3. An electric hot water kettle, used to make hot water for hot tea

We can now make a single cup of coffee, a fresh glass of iced tea, and a cup of hot tea, all from one machine.

While the cost per cup of coffee is probably higher than a whole pot made with our coffee maker, we now have much more variety available to us. While I occasionally enjoy a cup of coffee, I never enjoy a pot of coffee, so beyond the first cup, the rest is wasted. Plus, I can have “Donut Shop” today, and “Breakfast Blend” tomorrow (or later today).

If you have a favorite flavor that I should try, let me know!

I’ve spent a good portion of the day reading a new book on my Kindle 3, and am amazed once again by how good the text looks. The contrast and clarity are absolutely amazing. I was impressed with our Kindle 2, but the Kindle 3 is even better.

Our overdose of movies and shows via Netflix continues.

• When in Rome is what we call a “Hallmark Channel Movie” — a romantic, sentimental, somewhat unrealistic feel good movie where one finds his soul-mate after sharing a latte or (literally) bumping into one another at the museum. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
• the BBC’s Daniel Deronda, a 4-part miniseries based on the book by George Eliot (a woman). If you like Victorian romantic dramas, such as North and South and Wives and Daughters, add this to your queue.
• Catch Me If You Can is a story inspired by the life of Frank Abagnale. The real-life story is even more amazing than portrayed in this entertaining movie. You might also be interested in the book: Catch Me If You Can: The True Story of a Real Fake.

I’ve spent most of this week sequestered upstairs, recovering from a knee surgery that has me somewhat hobbled. During my time of recuperation, I’ve been able to enjoy a new experience: Netflix coupled with an Apple TV.

The Apple TV is a remarkably small black box with only two required connections: a power cord and an HDMI cable to the TV. It connects wirelessly to my local network, shares iTunes on my Macs for local content, provides movie and tv show rental from Apple, plays Internet radio, and is a Netflix appliance for watching streaming content from Netflix. Setup was simple, and within minutes I was able to watch content on an LCD TV.

I’ve been using an antenna to watch broadcast television for morning and nightly news, but other content has come from Netflix. In the past few days, we’ve watched:

• Firefly (tv series)
• Serenity (sci-fi movie)
• Middlemarsh (or was it Middlemarch?) (miniseries)
• Room with a View (movie)
• The Count of Monte Cristo (movie, 2002)
• Adam 12 (tv series), episodes 1 and 2

(Lu skipped Firefly and Serenity.)

What have I learned?

1. My perceived value of our DISH Network service is declining.
   • While I like the DVR for recording and watching live shows — especially for doing my own instant replay of a sporting event or a line that I missed — there are alternatives. I don’t think I need it as much as I thought.
   • I don’t really miss the live shows that I thought I’d miss. Plus, I suspect I can rent them from Apple TV. Renting a few live shows is way more economical than a monthly subscription to everything.
2. I was concerned that wireless streaming wouldn’t be fast enough, but there have been very few disconnects or pauses. The Apple TV does have a wired Internet connection port available, but I don’t have a wired drop close by.
3. Last night’s movie, the Count of Monte Cristo, did disconnect a few times. However, it could have been caused by Apple TV, my wireless network, local Internet traffic affecting bandwidth, Mediacom (my Internet provider), NetFlix, or some temporary Internet outage. With so many possible variables, I hesitate to finger any of these as the culprit.

For someone that already has broadband Internet access, I think that Netflix and something like the Apple TV is a great addition, and possibly a cost-saving replacement, of a cable or satellite TV service.

I’ve added WeatherBug Elite to my iPad. This simple app gives me a snapshot of the current weather conditions, including weather radar, temperature, dew point, and temperature predictions. There’s even a playback mode that will animate the radar image to show how a storm is moving.

While I always perceived WeatherBug on the PC to be a gateway for unwanted applications and/or adware, the iPad version isn’t hampered with any of these concerns. (And, to be fair, my impression of the PC version of WeatherBug is based upon a version from several years ago. That software may have changed its ways.)

Not only is WeatherBug able to show my current weather conditions, but it can also show the weather conditions of other locations. So, whether I’m traveling, or want to see the weather where some one else is traveling, or am just curious about the current weather conditions in, say, Sydney, Australia, I can find out!

What are people saying about PocketBible on the iPad?

“… I’m almost in heaven.”
— Gaijin

“I can honestly say it’s awesome–it has already changed (and improved!) the way I do my own Bible study.”
— Jen

“I’m feeling completely justified for having based my iPad purchase on this app… maybe not sanctified, but indeed justified.”
— J.Sam

“This is one of, if not the finest app in the App store. It is everything you said it would be and more. This is by far the best Bible software available for the iPad, and makes my iPad into the “study friendly” device I had hoped for.”
— Steve K.

“This is by far the best Bible software I have ever used.”
— Phil

“Woo-hoo! It is awesome. This is the best app for my iPad! Really!”
— Brian

“Loaded on my Ipad last night. All I can say is that it is stunning and incredible.”
— John C.

“The first app in the App Store to cry out for 6 stars!”
— NNR

“Beautiful iPad app!!! Love it. This update made my week.”
— Carolyn

“The iPad version is truly the killer-app. Just knowing it was coming had me drooling, and the release didn’t disappoint.”
— Aardwolf

“Verily, I am thankful unto God for leading me to this application … Like the skillful work done by Bezalel and Aholiab, I commend your work. Well done.”
—gomo

“If the AppStore gave out awards for the best app, this would win it hands down. It has the cleanest and easiest to use UI of any app I’ve used on my iPad. If I could I would give it 10 stars not just 5.”
— RS.C

“I’ve been using Laridian products since they were founded and consider them the absolute best of the mobile Bible apps. This latest is no exception and is already my preferred app for the iPad. It’s fast, has a great user interface and tons of resources. It has earned a place on my dock.”
— naapitb

Because we’re fair and balanced, we offer an opposing viewpoint, offered by the user of another Bible product.

“The interface for this app is confusing. Make a wrong move on the touch screen and you can really get yourself lost within the program.”
— Quaczar

Read Matthew Miller’s first-impressions review of PocketBible on his iPad. A more in-depth review is promised soon.

PocketBible for iPad now available in the App Store

Read John Fidel’s review of PocketBible on his iPad.

Laridian’s PocketBible for iPad is Here

My phone system upgrade is complete, and I’m happy to report that I’m happy with the results.

Here’s what I previously had.

1. An office phone number through QWest.
2. A home phone number through QWest.
3. A cell phone plan through AT&T.
4. A two-line phone in my home office to manage my “work” and “home” phone lines.

As I previously wrote, my two-line phone started having problems and needed to be replaced. This opened the door to think about alternative solutions.

So, here’s what I’ve done.

1. My office phone number has not changed, but my office phone line has been disconnected. My office phone number now rings to my cell phone.
2. My home phone number has not changed.
3. My cell phone number is now my “work” number.
4. My two-line phone in my home office has been replaced with a one line phone and a bluetooth gateway to connect my cell phone to the system.

Now, my “work” number is my cell phone, not a land line into my office. So, even when I am working off-site, I’ll have access to my business phone. When I am home, then the bluetooth gateway connects my cell phone to my home phone system, so I can make and receive cell calls using either my phone system or my cell phone.

Switching my cell phone number to my work number was easy, but did take a few days and a few phone calls to work out.

In summary, I’m pretty happy with the new system, and would recommend both my new Panasonic phone and the XLink bluetooth gateway.

I splurged today and bought a new app for my iPhone: FlightTrack.

One of the features that makes the iPhone such a great experience is the ability to find and download apps via iTunes and the AppStore, either directly on the phone or from the computer that I synchronize with my iPhone. So, as I was sitting in the airport, ready to send Bethany off on her flights to Oberlin, Ohio (actually to Detroit and then to Cleveland), I found, purchased, downloaded, and configured FlightTrack to show the status of her “to” and “from” flights.

At $4.99, FlightTrack is one of the more expensive iPhone apps. However, it is super easy to use and very convenient.

FlightTrack provides the same information that is available at www.flightstats.com. It provides arrival and departure times, gate numbers, weather information, and even a flight map. For instance, Bethany’s flight is currently over Lake Michigan at 29,000 feet and traveling at 475 mph.

While it’s kind of fun to follow a flight, I expect that it will be most useful to determine if a flight is on time or delayed.

I’m in the midst of replacing a 2-line Siemens Gigaset 8825 with a 1-line Panasonic KX-TG1063 and an XLink BTTN Bluetooth Gateway.

The Gigaset has been a great phone. The base unit is in my office, and we have satellite phones positioned around the house. It’s been configured to ring only base unit for line one (my office number) and to ring all handsets for line 2 (our home number). The only issue that we’ve had with it is that the microwave interferes with reception of the wireless handhelds.

However, the LCD screen has been gradually degrading, such that now only the bottom two-thirds of any phone number is shown, and the answering machine has recently stopped working altogether. Interestingly, it gives you (the caller) the impression that it is working, but it isn’t.

I’ve opted to replace it with a 1-line phone, and will probably request that the phone company disconnect my office line. Thus, the Panasonic purchase. I opted for a phone with a handset so that my Plantronics headset can still be used with it.

Since I’ll use my cell phone as my primary business line, I looked for a base phone unit that would connect to the cell phone via bluetooth. There are some available, however, the various options didn’t meet my other requirements. So, instead, I’ve opted to try an add-on unit (the XLink) that will pair the cell phone with the base unit, allowing the cell phone to be used from any handset. It should work well for incoming calls, though outgoing calls may still require that the phone be “on” and “unlocked”. Another advantage of the XLink is that it will let me see what home service is like with a cell phone instead of a land line.

So, is it an upgrade, or not? I’m going from two land lines and one cell line to one land line and one cell line, but am connecting the cell line to the phone system so that it behaves (mostly) like a land line when within range of the base. I think I’ll like it. Economically, it will take 6 months or so to hit the break-even point, where the savings from removing the second land line will pay for the new equipment. After that, there will be monthly savings. So, it seems to be an economic upgrade.

Practically, even though I’m switching from two land lines to just one, I think it will work just fine. So, I might not call it an upgrade, but it isn’t a step backwards either.

But geekly, it’s a huge upgrade!

Yesterday, Apple announced the iPad, which is projected to ship in the US in March (WiFi version) and April (WiFi + 3G version). My status as an iPhone developer doesn’t get me any super-secret inside information. Apple didn’t rush a review copy to me. I don’t know if the three Laridian iPhone apps are among the “most” of the 140,000 apps that will “just work” on the iPad. (However, I expect them to work just fine.)

So, just like most of you, my faithful readers, I’ve only seen the information at the Apple Web site, watched the video, and read some reviews and opinions from other Web sites, such as:

• Wired: Would You Buy an iPad? Wired Readers Weigh In
• Wired: How Will the Apple Tablet iPad Change Our Kids’ Lives?
• CNet Poll: The Apple iPad: Will you buy one?
• Telegraphs (UK): Apple iPad review
• Engadget: Apple iPad first hands-on!
• LA Times: The iPad shows up the Kindle; will Apple’s iBooks store challenge Amazon?

Some of these articles and article commenters seem to get it, such as the author of How Will the Apple Tablet iPad Change Our Kids’ Lives?. However, I’ve been surprised how many are not getting what seems so clear to me.

This quote from Wired’s Would You Buy an iPad? Wired Readers Weigh In article reveals the confusion.

Though Apple’s Steve Jobs introduced the iPad as a device that would occupy the world between smartphones and laptops, potential customers aren’t convinced. A full 71 percent of 934 readers polled said they won’t buy an iPad, because they are happy with their smartphone and notebook.

To understand the iPad, you have to first understand what it isn’t. Steve Jobs makes that clear in the above quote. The iPad isn’t a phone. The iPad isn’t a laptop. That is, the iPad isn’t expected to do all of the things that you might do with your phone or your laptop. Yet, 71% of the poll respondents “won’t buy an iPad, because they are happy with their smartphone and notebook.” These 71% don’t understand what the iPad isn’t.

So, if the iPad is not a phone or laptop, what is it? From the Apple video, it’s pretty clear: the iPad is a mobile media machine.

• Surf the Web.
• Read a book.
• Listen to music.
• Watch a movie.

Sure, you can install the iPad version of Pages and write a term paper on it, but that’s not the primary purpose. So, comparing it to a laptop isn’t reasonable.

But comparing it to my iPod and Kindle is. And, based on what I’ve seen and read so far, the iPad is looking pretty good. Yes, it costs twice as much (or more), but look at all of the extra stuff that it can do!

Here are some of the common complaints or concerns that I’ve seen.

• The iPad name suggests that Apple has a serious lack of women in it IT department.
  Seriously? I never made that connection. iPad is just a derivative of iPod. And beside, the IT department has nothing to do with a product’s name. That would come largely from the marketing department.
• “Ink” technology (i.e. Kindle) is better on the eyes than the backlit LED that the iPad uses.
  I really like reading my Kindle, so I’m a fan of Ink technology. Still, I can’t read it in the dark without a pretty bright light shining on it. And, I usually spend most of my day in front of a computer screen, and my eyes don’t feel fatigued at the end of the day. So I’m not yet convinced that this is an issue.
• The iPad doesn’t allow multitasking, so I can’t listen to Pandora streamed from the Web whilte I read.
  OK, you have a point. On the other hand, the iPad is an iPod. My iPhone doesn’t multitask either, but I can listen to music from the iPhone’s “iPod” feature while doing anything else. Plus, I don’t listen to Pandora. Now, if you were to tell me that something important was missing, like that MLB won’t have an app for listening to live baseball games, I might agree with you.
• The Web browser doesn’t support Flash.
  OK. This might be annoying every now and then. However, my Kindle not only doesn’t support Flash, it doesn’t support ANY Web browsing.
• Once again, Apple comes out with an overpriced toy.
  I admit, when I saw Apple introduce the iPad as a magical and revolutionary device at an “unbelievable” price, I was skeptical. I wouldn’t classify the $499 price for the least expensive model as “unbelievable”. While it is expensive, it’s not necessarily outrageous.

The iPad has been “announced” for a full day now. I haven’t seen one in person. But, based upon what I have seen and read, I think it looks very promising as an upgrade to my Kindle.

I make Bethany’s harp Web site with Apple’s iWeb. Unfortunately, today when starting iWeb, I received this error: “iweb quit unexpectedly while using the SFWordProcessing plugin.”

The error happened consistently.

A google search revealed that the error might be related to the “Hoefler Text” font family. Indeed, disabling this font allowed iWeb to load.

Unfortunately, since I use that font in my site, it wasn’t an ideal solution.

A little more googling resulted in a better fix. A few other sites confirmed it, which made me more comfortable that it was indeed a fix and not a hoax. I tried it and it resolved my problem. If you are having a similar problem, see
the million dollar trick or how to fix iWeb in 10.6.2.