Technology: Where We're Headed and Where We've Been

I was listening to a Java podcast this morning while pulling weeds and got to thinking about how much day to day technology has evolved in the last couple decades.

It seems smartphone apps are the new CD-ROMS. Yes CD (not DVD or Blu-Ray). Remember those? You weren't anyone in the tech world if you didn't have a CD-ROM, whether it had clickable buttons and transitions or not. Yes, handing out stacks of platters for training or convention swag was the way. If it included wallpapers, or movies clips to keep, all the better. I still remember Billy Idol's Cyberpunk Album that did things like this on a 3.5 floppy disk. Pretty radical stuff for the time.

Now we have Apps, which essentially do the same thing and act in some instances as a hybrid website. Granted, you can get most of the same function from a simple bookmark to a website, but just like on a home PC, smartphones now have their own shortcuts of sorts.

Now don't get me wrong, there are stand-alone applications that have nothing to do with website mirroring or pointing, but, just as I have had to make this distinction, so much is the line blurred between the two. Translation: An App can be an app or a shortcut, depending on it's intent. Curious, no?

Speaking of blurring lines, the TV/PC convergence is gathering steam, particularly with ever-evolving chips and software for the menus. Java tech can and will be showing up more in this arena in the next few years, essentially turning the old 42-inch flat panel into a hybrid computer, especially with the current set top boxes whirring away beside it. Throw in touch screens, which are getting better via the smartphone market, and OLED displays and whatever 3D advances, and we'll all have something like Tony Stark's computer to geek out over. I can already see the glass cleaner market grinning over wipe sales, can't you?

Naturally, with any tech boom, there's a shake out time for what's truly useful and what's gimmicky at best. With all these advances happening, along with being mindful and careful of current limited resources, I think we'll see more efficient use of not only power, but materials and coding. Less bloated code means less compute time, means less energy used, means less horsepower needed, etc. Kind of alleviating the "drive a thumb tack with a sledge hammer" mentality. Ideally, simplified interfaces, devoid of multi-step profiles is just one of many answers. If you can do something in a couple steps, why spend extra energy and time to do the same thing in 6? Sound familiar? It should. This is how things were done and done smartly in the "old school" days. I see a trend returning to this, but, as with anything else, presented with a new buzz word and treated as a totally radical new concept. Kind of an Environmental Awareness getting re branded as Going Green thing. ;)

Just some observations from a tech enthusiast and admitted nerd. :)

Blogging Buffet & Nerdly News

It's not quite dead folks! That's right, BB&NN is back with...well...more random stuff I found interesting...........well off we go then.

• Comic Con is going on this week, and a new Haunted Mansion movie is in the works with Guillermo Del Toro. I'm excited to see this because he did a great job with visuals and creature effects in Hellboy 2. Yes, spot already reserved next to Tron Legacy in the video collection.
• Jane Wiedlin and Bill Morrison are on hand at Comic Con this weekend to promote their new Lady Robotika comic. There will also be a big debut party in LA this coming Monday to continue the cyber-gras festivities, so if you're in the area, like comics, think Jane is awesome, or all of the above, go check it out. Good vibes and juju to Jane and company from TheRapidsBlog. :)
• Seems the notorious Westboro Baptist Church is getting more press than they wanted after announcing a protest at Comic Con. Three WBC protesters were outgunned, out signed, and outwitted by a couple hundred of my brother and sister nerds and geeks. While this is a GOLDEN opportunity to quote Bible verses and make all kinds of VERY TEMPTING remarks, I'll quote the great Lewis Skolnick instead. "I have a message for the beautiful people. There are a lot more of us than there are of you..."
• Been trying out a few more apps on the iPod Touch lately. Comic Con, G4, and Free People were all interesting, had good content, and good ease of use. Nice work folks!
• Got yet another phishing spam email trying to get my WoW account info. Yep, it was the usual "we're going to shut you down for cheating unless you click our link, etc...". Obviously, the good folks at Blizzard didn't send this, because, if there was a real problem, they'd contact you another way, they don't use links, and they can spell. To my brother and sister WoW players, heads up and be ready.
• Speaking of World of Warcraft, I'm enjoying time on the Horde side and being a part of a guild. Never done this before and the folks running it have been uber nice offering to help me level. We've also shared a few laughs in random chat. Since WoW is my first MMO, this is a new adventure within yet another adventure for me.
• Both the upcoming Lego Universe and Star Wars Old Republic MMOs look really good. Even MagiQuest's online version of it's RL wand adventure game looks like fun. Man! Just not enough time for all these.
• Second Life time has been sparse at best the last few months. Just not much time with all the other things in my life going on.
• Enjoying the volunteer handler time with The 501st Alabama Garrison. It's really helped sharpen my people and pr skills along with getting me plenty of exercise. Dodging kiddies, staying out of shots, and snapping pics takes ninja reflexes. Since I don't have those, I just do the best I can and try to show people a good time. ;)
• Getting into costuming a bit more with some varied leather working and jewelry making. Have seen lots of neat things to try online and have even made a scrap leather belt, headband and gloves for a couple upcoming projects. Much like cooking, there's a satisfaction in the independence. You see something or get an idea, and you make it. It's great! Also really puts me in the mood for a good ren faire. :)
• Job hunt continues, namely throwing yet more applications and resumes into a black hole. Been getting plenty of pyramid schemes and ads to go back to school for training. Been there, done that, have the student loan bills to prove it. This is why I do so much on the blog and volunteer. I'm improving my general business skills, building a better rep, and can point to all of it if asked "what have you done in the year you've been unemployed?" It has to amount to something and somebody has to look at this somewhere and say "Look what this guy can do? We NEED to hire him before somebody else gets him. Sure, we'll have to make him switch to decaf and maybe consider him for a game show host or something, but let's get ahold of this guy." At almost a year, I hold out hope for this kind of miracle so that I too can live out my dreams. Honestly, I don't need very much in this world, but I do want to be able to live comfortably, take care of the day to day things, and look after my family. Rich doesn't matter. Self-sufficiency and not struggling does. All I need is the opportunity folks.
• When October rolls around, it's cell phone upgrade time. Since Blackberry Curve is on it's last digits, I'm thinking iPhone 4. Since I've been on the Apple system for years, this is a natural step. While there are better deals and phones out there, my years of built-up content are a major factor in this. Really, had I the resources, it would be an iPhone 4 in white today.
• With all the BPA hullabaloo, I've been switching over to metals for my camp eating gear. So far it's Klean Kanteens, Snow Peak Titanium Sporks, and my Disney Vacation Club "toothpick holders". Thinking a Snow Peak Titanium mug or two and possibly a cook set in future.

Well, that's it from my world. Ever thinking. Ever evolving. Ever growing. That's my adventurous life. Until next time. :)

Top O' The River

Lately, I've been REALLY craving catfish. It's hazy whether or not I've ever eaten it in 35 years on the planet, but I wanted some just the same. Dad, in his wisdom, suggested Top O' The River at Lake Guntersville. It was indeed a good suggestion, especially on a less busy Tuesday night.

Top O' The River is just simple, good, country and seafood cooking...and we'll start with the cornbread. I'm not a cornbread guy. Corny? Yes. Corn bread? No. Even so, the butter and jalapenos made it tasty...and made me a convert. Washed down with sweet tea, and we're already on an upswing. Less than 5 minutes after ordering, the folks got their combos and I got The River Boat Special of fried catfish and extras. The modified Tartar sauce really blended well with the breading and taste of the fish. Breading was subtle and tasty, without being over-powering. Also tried a curious mix of pineapple and horse radish suggested by our server Aaron. As wacky as it sounds, the two flavors really do work in an unexpected way. Fruity with a twinge is the only way to describe it. You just have to try that mix and judge for yourself.

Atmosphere feels like fishing cabin meets family cookout. Simple and layed back. We sat in some high back varnished wood booths that were surprisingly comfortable. You're given tin plates for cornbread, cold slaw, and pickled onions to start. The meal comes out on ordinary white oblong plates that fit the theme very well. Yep, baked potatoes come in tin foil too. During dinner we were treated to a pretty view of Lake Guntersville reflecting the evening sun. Was cool to see people pull up to the boat dock and come in off the lake for dinner too.

Service was excellent. Aaron took good care of us...and he gets bonus cool points for looking like a red-haired Shaggy from Scooby Doo. He was a good balance of attentive without hovering or being pushy. Aaron, you'll remember, made the suggestion about the pineapple dipping sauce for the catfish. Did I mention only 5 minute wait on our dinner order? He was also genuinely happy and smiling. In short, good attitude, especially when being a server can be a very tough job some days. We also were able to completely finish the meal before even the mention or bringing of the check. It really was nice not to be rushed, and it reminded me of how restaurants used to be. Needless to say, he got a good tip and our gratitude for a job well done.

Was my catfish craving satisfied? With gusto. And to Mr. Phil Woodall, you were correct sir. ;)

Hungry yet? You can catch even more country goodness here - http://www.topotheriverrestaurant.com/

As you can see, Top O' The River does several things right, from food quality, to theme, to service. Thank you to those folks for a really good meal! We'll be back.

Book Signing at Davis Kidd, Memphis, Tennessee

Several Imagicopter, SamsDotPublishing and Kerlak Publishing authors will be on hand July 5-9 to sign their latest literary creations at the famous Memphis bookstore this week. These include:

• H David Blalock (Ascendant, Dragons Composed)
• Herika R. Raymer (Dragons Composed, WTF Mystery, Trouble with Trulks)
• M. R. Williamson (Pragmore, Krypendorf)
• Windsong Levitch (Lighter Side of Dark, Dragons Composed)
• And many more!

For those that don't know, Davis Kidd was where the rising star author Kimberly Richardson had her first and very successful book signing. It's definitely worth your time, whether you like books or not, to come and out support these good folks.

Want more? Be sure to check out the following for more information, books, and inspired creativity!

* Imagicopter - http://sites.google.com/site/imagicopter/

* SamsDotPublishing - http://www.samsdotpublishing.com/

* Kerlak Publishing - http://www.kerlakpublishing.com/index.html

Good wishes and tidings for a successful event from TheRapidsBlog! :)