2008 First Blog Entry
Friday 4th January, 2008Many of you probably are thinking I am not going to blog about Lotus Notes or Domino anymore. Well let's just say that I had writer's blog, in the last few months or should I say most of 2007? There were a few changes in my work life that left me not having a lot of time to write blog entries.
If you have not noticed yet, this blog is now the front door (or the sole website now). I decided that it is time to make this blog the main site rather than my old site front page I started back in 2004. With site changed, I am going to move some topics to two new blogs that I started. The topics that are more personal in nature (and not Lotus Notes/Domino related) are moved to this new blog called P-Dawg's House. There are few URLs you can use as all my self name domains now point to it. The other part of the posts that were related to Apple, Computer, Gadgets, etc are going to be point to a blog that I started with a couple friends called "Three Dudes on a Couch". The site was just formed after the new year and we are currently working on a custom theme as well content entries.
This leaves me doing my final post on this site that is not going to be Lotus Notes/Domino related.
In my work life, I am still working on Lotus Notes, but it is more of an e-mail management theme as I am managing two development teams that integrate for both Microsoft Outlook and Lotus Notes clients. In June 2007 my job expanded with a promotion to Senior Engineering Manager as well as gaining a second development team which integrates with Outlook. With this new Email Management theme, I am working more closely with the Lotus Notes development team and Microsoft Outlook development team in giving more api's for my employer's integration with Content Management Systems. Now finishing up 6 months in expanded position, my teams and I have found the productive way to developed.
To the readers who have enjoyed reading about the gadgets I have gained or used. I have not forgot about you. Here is a recap of the Computer/Tech/Gadgets I have gained that is also posted on my tech blog:
There is a theme in that I have upgraded the home to HD entertainment systems, switch to make Apple Macs the main computers system for my spouse and I, and lastly move to some energy efficient ideas.
Home Entertainment system upgrades:
PlayStation 3 replaced my existing PlayStation 2 within the first days of 2007. This was my birthday present to myself as I am a fan of PlayStation games. Plus with the Blu-Ray movies it is an added perk.
After playing the PlayStation 3 on a standard definition, I was reminded by Arnold (also on this site) that I am not getting the real HD experience. After comparative shopping, I replace my 32" standard definition Sony Vega with a Sony Bravia 40" (KDL-40XBR2). The screen size matches what our 32" was in height and as my living room is not very deep the screen size works well in the space.
The resulting TV purchase landed me a few discount mailings which helped me decided to make the jump to TiVo Series3 HD DVR. I was able to save over $300 which was a great deal. The TiVo Series3 HD is replacing one of my older TiVo single-turner which I am donating to a friend/family member. Just waiting for a confirmation email.
The TV purchase prompt for a few more supporting devices:
The remaining home television was replaced with the Sharp Aquos LC-32D62U 32" 1080p.
In late 2006 Skype start promoting some new services called SkypeOut with unlimited calling in US and Canada. After some research, I purchased the Linksys iPhone (CIT-400) the cost was yearly (or on average $6 a month) and activated in January 2007. I am now considering to move towards SkypePro with the same phone.
Home Computers/Home Networking:
The iPod Video (80GB Model) replaced my iPod Video 60GB. I still use the gadget quite a bit with the following accessories:
I replaced my 8-port gigabit switch with the Netgear Switch (GS516T)a 16-port gigabit switch. It was a refurbish model that I got at Fry's, but the fans started to hum loudly after 6 months. My spouse prompted me to replaced the device with Netgear ProSafe Switch (JGS524) as it is a 24-port gigabit switch that is quiet.
I started 2007 with 4 monitors mounted on a MoView quad-arm stand for LCD monitors which had two 22" monitors and 2 19" monitors . After seeing the Gateway Monitor (FPD2485W) replaced with two of these monitors as it can service all the connections I needed via DVI/VGA. I added the Gateway DTSS-2400 Theater Sound System for each monitor as well.
Moving to my computers I purchased the Apple MacBook Pro 2.33 GHz Core 2 Duo (model MA611LL/A). As I use at work and home this laptop performs much better than the Lenevo T42 Thinkpad work provided. My original MacBook Pro Core Duo that I got in 2006 was given to my spouse to replace the Windows XP computer that it could not play World of Warcraft without requiring a reboot all the time.
Giving my home MacBook Pro to my spouse provided enough to stay with Macs and subsequently a MacBook Core 2 Duo (model MB063LL/A) provided better mobility for my spouse's retail job which now expanded to sell Macs. Yes, my spouse is a Apple Expert at that retail store.
To round out my Mac experience, my spouse got me a Apple 24" iMac 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo (model MA8778LL/A) and added 4 GB RAM for Christmas gift. As I was using my MacBook Pro as a desktop computer, I was not fond of having to connect all the cables to my MacBook Pro in my home environment. The iMac is now my main desktop.
To add to the home/work Apple experience:
As the Apple Macs are now my main computers for home and work (even for my spouse), I am removing three computers from my home network: the HP Media Center PC m1160n (which is a refurbish model) that is on its last legs as parts of the hardware is no longer working, my spouse's old 1.0 GHz Dell desktop tower from college is going to be retired, and lastly my infamous custom built Linux server (that I named Dilbert) is going to be retired. This leaves me with a single Linux workstation (named Dogbert) to serve as my backend server for the home network. The daunting task is to merge the data from Dilbert (860.96 GB in size) to Dogbert (which can hold 3.78 TB) as I believe there is some duplicate data. If you are wondering Dogbert has 1.14 TB free and I have 1 Seagate 750GB and 3 Western Digital 1 TB SATA internal drives yet to be used.
For the overall home computer environment I added the following peripherals:
It sounds like a lot of gadgets, but it was a overall goal this year to replace the big, bulky standard definition televisions and try to be a little more green. For example we removed our entertainment center that I got back in 1999 as we don't use the receiver. Plus today's electronics can do more that I don't need a receiver to produce the Dolby sound. Reducing the home computers has been a long time goal. At one time I had 10 desktop and laptop units. I can not believe I am down to 4 Macs and 1 Linux workstation. To be more environment friendly, we replaced all our batteries to use rechargable ones, all the lightbulbs were changed to more energy efficient ones, and recycle plastic, paper, and aluminum cans. My spouse and I remove about 1/4 of our clothing in our closets to donate them to shelters as we don't wear the clothing anymore. After watching a lot of television shows on organizing, we started adopting those tips of remove the items in our life we don't use often.
Also, in 2007 I have seen myself not really wanting to make custom computers anymore and struggle with getting Windows to work correctly on particular hardware or find a Linux distribution which meets all the needs I want. In the past I have switched between 4 different distributions in the last 7 years -- now the main requirement is to make sure VMware Workstation works as i do almost all my work using VMware Workstation and VMware Fusion (for Mac). I still tinker but it is more application base and less hardware based.
With this long list of item, you can expect to see some more reviews as well. Is 2008 going to be heavy in gadgets as well?
Hope you have a good 2008.
If you have not noticed yet, this blog is now the front door (or the sole website now). I decided that it is time to make this blog the main site rather than my old site front page I started back in 2004. With site changed, I am going to move some topics to two new blogs that I started. The topics that are more personal in nature (and not Lotus Notes/Domino related) are moved to this new blog called P-Dawg's House. There are few URLs you can use as all my self name domains now point to it. The other part of the posts that were related to Apple, Computer, Gadgets, etc are going to be point to a blog that I started with a couple friends called "Three Dudes on a Couch". The site was just formed after the new year and we are currently working on a custom theme as well content entries.
This leaves me doing my final post on this site that is not going to be Lotus Notes/Domino related.
In my work life, I am still working on Lotus Notes, but it is more of an e-mail management theme as I am managing two development teams that integrate for both Microsoft Outlook and Lotus Notes clients. In June 2007 my job expanded with a promotion to Senior Engineering Manager as well as gaining a second development team which integrates with Outlook. With this new Email Management theme, I am working more closely with the Lotus Notes development team and Microsoft Outlook development team in giving more api's for my employer's integration with Content Management Systems. Now finishing up 6 months in expanded position, my teams and I have found the productive way to developed.
To the readers who have enjoyed reading about the gadgets I have gained or used. I have not forgot about you. Here is a recap of the Computer/Tech/Gadgets I have gained that is also posted on my tech blog:
There is a theme in that I have upgraded the home to HD entertainment systems, switch to make Apple Macs the main computers system for my spouse and I, and lastly move to some energy efficient ideas.
Home Entertainment system upgrades:
PlayStation 3 replaced my existing PlayStation 2 within the first days of 2007. This was my birthday present to myself as I am a fan of PlayStation games. Plus with the Blu-Ray movies it is an added perk.
After playing the PlayStation 3 on a standard definition, I was reminded by Arnold (also on this site) that I am not getting the real HD experience. After comparative shopping, I replace my 32" standard definition Sony Vega with a Sony Bravia 40" (KDL-40XBR2). The screen size matches what our 32" was in height and as my living room is not very deep the screen size works well in the space.
The resulting TV purchase landed me a few discount mailings which helped me decided to make the jump to TiVo Series3 HD DVR. I was able to save over $300 which was a great deal. The TiVo Series3 HD is replacing one of my older TiVo single-turner which I am donating to a friend/family member. Just waiting for a confirmation email.
The TV purchase prompt for a few more supporting devices:
- Replaced my existing DVD player to the Sony DVP-NS75H.
- Replaced my entertainment center to one by Crate & Barrel called the Loop 54" Media Center.
- By the time Transformers nears it release date, I made the decision to add HD DVD to my home entertainment system. I got the Toshiba HD DVD player (HD-A30) as it came with 9 free HD DVDs.
- I added a Nintendo Wii to our home environment. I did not think I would like the device, but it is has been a hit even with my guests who visit periodically. With the modest accessories rechargeable batteries for the controllers, another Wii Remote (the controller), and a Wii Nunchuk. The GameCube controllers are going to be reused with this system.
The remaining home television was replaced with the Sharp Aquos LC-32D62U 32" 1080p.
In late 2006 Skype start promoting some new services called SkypeOut with unlimited calling in US and Canada. After some research, I purchased the Linksys iPhone (CIT-400) the cost was yearly (or on average $6 a month) and activated in January 2007. I am now considering to move towards SkypePro with the same phone.
Home Computers/Home Networking:
The iPod Video (80GB Model) replaced my iPod Video 60GB. I still use the gadget quite a bit with the following accessories:
- For my car I added the Belkin TuneBase FM for iPod. I picked as my car stereo system is circa 2002.
- The Apple iPod Universal Dock came in handy for the desktop synching.
I replaced my 8-port gigabit switch with the Netgear Switch (GS516T)a 16-port gigabit switch. It was a refurbish model that I got at Fry's, but the fans started to hum loudly after 6 months. My spouse prompted me to replaced the device with Netgear ProSafe Switch (JGS524) as it is a 24-port gigabit switch that is quiet.
I started 2007 with 4 monitors mounted on a MoView quad-arm stand for LCD monitors which had two 22" monitors and 2 19" monitors . After seeing the Gateway Monitor (FPD2485W) replaced with two of these monitors as it can service all the connections I needed via DVI/VGA. I added the Gateway DTSS-2400 Theater Sound System for each monitor as well.
Moving to my computers I purchased the Apple MacBook Pro 2.33 GHz Core 2 Duo (model MA611LL/A). As I use at work and home this laptop performs much better than the Lenevo T42 Thinkpad work provided. My original MacBook Pro Core Duo that I got in 2006 was given to my spouse to replace the Windows XP computer that it could not play World of Warcraft without requiring a reboot all the time.
Giving my home MacBook Pro to my spouse provided enough to stay with Macs and subsequently a MacBook Core 2 Duo (model MB063LL/A) provided better mobility for my spouse's retail job which now expanded to sell Macs. Yes, my spouse is a Apple Expert at that retail store.
To round out my Mac experience, my spouse got me a Apple 24" iMac 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo (model MA8778LL/A) and added 4 GB RAM for Christmas gift. As I was using my MacBook Pro as a desktop computer, I was not fond of having to connect all the cables to my MacBook Pro in my home environment. The iMac is now my main desktop.
To add to the home/work Apple experience:
- I got iWork '08 and iLife '08 family packs.
- When Apple Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) was released in October, I purchased the family pack and upgraded that night. In fact I was able to talk my boss and small group of people from work to walk down to the Apple Store on Michigan Avenue to purchase the night it was launched.
- On September 5 when Appled announce a new price for the iPhone, I made the switch and purchase the Apple iPhone (MA712LL/A) 8GB model and my spouse went with the Apple iPhone (model MA501LL/A) 4GB model. After having Smartphones for my last 3 phones, I have to say that for myself the iPhone is now my preferred phone. In fact my spouse uses the iPhone more then the old mobile phone which was Treo 700wx.
As the Apple Macs are now my main computers for home and work (even for my spouse), I am removing three computers from my home network: the HP Media Center PC m1160n (which is a refurbish model) that is on its last legs as parts of the hardware is no longer working, my spouse's old 1.0 GHz Dell desktop tower from college is going to be retired, and lastly my infamous custom built Linux server (that I named Dilbert) is going to be retired. This leaves me with a single Linux workstation (named Dogbert) to serve as my backend server for the home network. The daunting task is to merge the data from Dilbert (860.96 GB in size) to Dogbert (which can hold 3.78 TB) as I believe there is some duplicate data. If you are wondering Dogbert has 1.14 TB free and I have 1 Seagate 750GB and 3 Western Digital 1 TB SATA internal drives yet to be used.
For the overall home computer environment I added the following peripherals:
- I was able to price two Western Digital MyBook World Edition 1 TB for $99 each.
- With Leopard's time machine, I got the Western Digital My Book Studio Edition (500GB) for my MacBook Pro and the Western Digital My Book Studio Edition (1 TB) for my iMac.
- For the new found digital media I create from my Macs, I got the Western Digital Passport (250 GB USB hard drive).
- After a year of looking, my spouse got us the Nikkon Coolpix S50 as I was debating to get a camera or a video camcorder. We decided to defer that purchase until 2008.
- The Cannon CanoScan 8800F replaced my old HP scanner which only works on Windows. This scanner works with my Macs now.
- As I started doing more digital photo work, I got the Epson Stylus R380 inkjet printer for doing color photos and CD/DVD printing. Arnold recommended this printer to me and I am thankful for the suggestion.
- To make my Shure 8900 headphones (from 2006) work with my iPhone, I purchased the Shure Music Phone Adapter for iPhone. I do enjoy listening to podcasts as I take the commuter train to work during the week.
- For all network devices, I swapped out my old Linksys 802.11g access point with the Apple Airport Extreme Base Station (model MB053LL/A). This item has allowed me to make some of my USB devices (like external hard drives and an older Samsung ML-1710 Laser printer) network-accessible and use the 802.11N draft that Macs support.
- For the work office, I added Apple Wireless Keyboard (MB167LL/A) and Apple wireless Mighty Mouse (MB111LL/A) to free my desk of cords.
- If this is not enough on 31st of December 2007, I picked up the LaCie Rugged All-Terrain Hard Disk (160GB) external hard drive as it was on clearance at my spouse's work and comes in handy for my virtual machine images I use for home and work.
It sounds like a lot of gadgets, but it was a overall goal this year to replace the big, bulky standard definition televisions and try to be a little more green. For example we removed our entertainment center that I got back in 1999 as we don't use the receiver. Plus today's electronics can do more that I don't need a receiver to produce the Dolby sound. Reducing the home computers has been a long time goal. At one time I had 10 desktop and laptop units. I can not believe I am down to 4 Macs and 1 Linux workstation. To be more environment friendly, we replaced all our batteries to use rechargable ones, all the lightbulbs were changed to more energy efficient ones, and recycle plastic, paper, and aluminum cans. My spouse and I remove about 1/4 of our clothing in our closets to donate them to shelters as we don't wear the clothing anymore. After watching a lot of television shows on organizing, we started adopting those tips of remove the items in our life we don't use often.
Also, in 2007 I have seen myself not really wanting to make custom computers anymore and struggle with getting Windows to work correctly on particular hardware or find a Linux distribution which meets all the needs I want. In the past I have switched between 4 different distributions in the last 7 years -- now the main requirement is to make sure VMware Workstation works as i do almost all my work using VMware Workstation and VMware Fusion (for Mac). I still tinker but it is more application base and less hardware based.
With this long list of item, you can expect to see some more reviews as well. Is 2008 going to be heavy in gadgets as well?
Hope you have a good 2008.
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