Life On the Wicked Stage: Act 2

Thomasin Reviews The HP 2133 Mini-Note

My lovely wife, Thomasin, has a new career starting as a gadget reviewer from a decidedly non-geek perspective. Back in December she did a first look at the Asus Eee PC, which we can't pry out of her hands now. And now that GottaBeMobile.com has gotten a review unit of the new HP 2133 Mini-Note I thought I'd get her unvarnished opinion on that ultra-portable device as well. She says quite a lot about both devices and coins a few new tech/gadget terms as well. Head over to GBM and check it out.

Technorati Tags: GottaBeMobile,HP 2133 Mini-Note,Asus Eee PC,InkShow,Thomasin Savaiano

The New EverNote Is A Real Game Changer

I produced a GottaBeMobile.com InkShow review of the EverNote's latest and greatest, and it is a real game changer. It allows you to grab info and share it across platforms in ways that I find breathtaking. If you're a Tablet PC user you're silly not to check this out. If you aren't a Tablet PC users, but do work with multiple machines, you're silly not to check this out. Heck, even if you just use one machine, you're silly not to check this out. Check out the review and InkShow here, and if you hurry you can grab some invites to the closed beta on GBM. We've been giving them away like hot cakes as interest is really high. And rightly so.

 

Technorati Tags: EverNote

Blogging From CES 2008

Yep, I'm in Vegas attending CES 2008. Here's a Flickr stream of touristy type shots for you to enjoy. Or not.

Technorati Tags: CES 2008

End of an Era: Last Episode of OnTheRun withTabletPCs Podcast

Cross posted from GottaBeMobile.com

I think many knew this day was coming and it is here. James Kendrick has posted the final episode of the OnTheRun with Tablet PCs Podcast. I’m going to let Jame’s words tell the story here. 

    This is the final episode of OnTheRun with Tablet PCs podcast that has enjoyed a run of over two years.  Marc Orchant and I had realized that we could not continue to do the show with our busy schedules and were planning a final show when Marc passed away.  I still wanted to do a final show to thank all of our listeners who have followed the show over its long run so this final show is a mix of highlights from the entire show history.  Mixing the show was difficult for me to do but I wanted to give the listeners one last listen at the wit and genius of Marc Orchant.

    Thanks for supporting us and goodbye Marc, my friend.

A fitting tribute, not only to the memory of Marc Orchant, but also to a great team of podcasters and Tableteers who helped so many in the Tabletscape (a term coined by James on one of these podcasts, if I remember correctly) with their observations, hints, tips, and humor over the run of the show. Thanks for doing this final episode, James. I’m sure many will keep it in their podcatchers for some time to come.

Technorati Tags: Marc Orchant,James Kendrick,OnTheRun with Tablet PCs Podcast

Rest In Peace Marc Orchant

This is really tough to write. Our good friend and friend to so many, Marc Orchant, passed away today. If you’ve been following the pages here this last week you know we’ve been posting updates on Marc’s condition after he suffered a massive coronary a week ago. Most of those were provided by his colleague, Oliver Starr, who courageously broke the sad news with this blog post, which I am reprinting here:

Update: 2:56PM Pacific Time December 9th, 2007:

It is with great sadness that I report that Marc Orchant, Husband to Sue, Father to Rebecca and Jason, and friend to so many, passed away just a short time ago. I was notified by Marc’s brother Craig.

His family and closest friends were at his side and his favorite music was playing. Craig said that Marc’s passing was as peaceful and easy as anyone could have hoped and he left this world surrounded by love from so many people that he couldn’t possibly have failed to know how many people cared for, appreciated and respected him.

Anyone that knew Marc also knew how much he loved music; especially the Grateful Dead. The excerpt below is from one of the songs that helped the family say goodbye to Marc and helped Marc move on to the next world. I talked to Marc almost every single day for the past couple of years. I’m sure that I’m not alone when I say that I am going to miss him so, so much.

To allow for people that may need to travel and take time of work, services are most likely going to be held this coming Wednesday afternoon at the Temple where the Orchants are members. I will provide more specific details as soon as they have been provided to me. Marc’s family expressed once again their gratitude for the outpouring of love and support that the technology community has shown in this very difficult time. Your warmth, concern and friendship will not be forgotten.

River gonna take me
Sing me sweet and sleepy
Sing me sweet and sleepy
all the way back home
It’s a far gone lullaby
sung many years ago
Mama, Mama, many worlds I’ve come
since I first left home

Goin home, goin home
by the waterside I will rest my bones
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
to rock my soul

May the angels welcome you home, Marc. Farewell, my friend and may God Bless you.

Technorati Tags: Marc Orchant

Update on Marc Orchant

From

Oliver Starr

UPDATE: 8:18AM Pacific Time, December 9th, 2007 

From Sue Orchant:

If the outpouring of love, support and caring could heal Marc, he would be with us telling stories right now. Today we are going to make Marc more comfortable. Friends came by all day yesterday with continued prayers and love. Today just our family will be with him. I know you are all still there for him and us. Thank you for all you have done.

Heartfelt Love,

Sue and Family

Technorati Tags: Marc Orchant

Updates on A Dear Friend, Marc Orchant

A lot of folks are still waiting for some good news about our dear friend, Marc Orchant, who suffered a massive coronary on Sunday and is still in critical condition. A lot of folks are also spreading the word, and the love about Marc and his family. Oliver Starr has published this page for future updates.

My good friend and colleague, Rob Bushway is calling for a Community Time of Prayer for Marc and 1pm MT today. Here is what Rob posted:

We are one tight-knit group of folks gathered around the Tablet PC / UMPC space. It is one reason why Marc Orchant's current situation has stunned us all. We've been following Marc's writings and listening to his podcasts for years, growing to know him more and more each day. He truly is one of the most likeable and knowledgeable people I've ever met. Now, one of our very own is in a critical situation, and his family is in an immeasurable amount of pain. I know first-hand the impact and encouragement that a community can give as it rally's behind you in times of severe trial. When my daughter, Maggie, was undergoing chemo and multiple brain surgeries, the community gathered around us in some unbelievable ways, flooding the hospital with more cards than they had ever seen, and praying for us on a daily basis.

I'd like to ask all of you to join me, and many others around the world, at 1:00 pm MST today to pray for Marc and his family.  Knowing that we are gathered together at the same time, lifting up Marc and his family, you will find yourself encouraged as well. Please repost this and pass the word around to as many sites as you can.

With this latest update from Sue Orchant, we have some definite things to pray for, and to be thankful for on behalf of Marc’s family:

In this past day we have seen some baby steps of improvement. He has some response to stimuli and his oxygen levels and heart rate have improved. I am guardedly optimistic. He still has not regained consciousness but we will take things minute by minute.

With you at 1:00 pm MST

I'll be there. Hope you will too.

Technorati Tags: Marc Orchant

The Third Annual Life On The Wicked Stage Ink Blot Awards

I still can't top what I wrote at the creation of the original Ink Blot Awards two years ago, so I'll repeat and then extend those remarks as we head into the Third Annual Life on the Wicked Stage Ink Blot Awards.

I created The Life On The Wicked Stage Ink Blot Awards as a celebration. Yes, it's a celebration of the 1 year anniversary of this blog. But it is more than that. It is a celebration of a community that I have come to know and admire. The Tableteers that make up the Tablet PC Community are an amazing collection of individuals who know and work with the Tablet PC platform. They are fiercely protective of it, insatiably curious about advancing it, very intelligent, often wickedly funny, at one time very forgiving and patient, and in the same breath, scathingly critical when the need arises. They are also exceedingly willing to evangelize the platform to anyone who will listen, and in my humble opinion, have helped keep the spotlight on The Tablet PC in ways that may, in the long run, prove to be responsible for keeping the platform thriving.

Most, if not all of that remains true here in Year 3. But like everything in life it is changing. The Tabletscape is now the Tablet/UMPC scape, although at times it tries unnecessarily to be two different scapes. We're about to add another scape with the advent of Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) just around the corner, and that promises to bring great changes. Touch has become king and I'm afraid Ink is drying up like an old maid in the desert. Multi-touch or Dual Touch Tablet PCs and UMPCs are now becoming the norm, but on the smaller devices the powers that be don't see the wisdom of Inking. Microsoft has more than let the ball drop. They've refused to take the field here lately, and Intel, HTC, Apple, and Nokia are defining what will be in the next phase of mobile computing. Microsoft may yet make a play, but the goal posts have shifted. Quite frankly, I'm not sure they will be able to field a response, although that could change.

But that doesn't stop Tablet PC, UMPC, and mobile computing enthusiasts one bit. Their passion keeps pumping with great vitality on the pages of blogs and forums. This year, in addition to honoring that passion for Tablet PCs and mobile computing, I'm adding some other categories to honor some other things and people that I find interesting or worth noting. As usual the rules for inclusion here are my own. Recognition here comes from things that strike my fancy or I think merit attention, praise, or ignominy. Some things are included just for the fun of it. Some are "best of breed." My good friend, Mark, "Sumocat" Sumimoto was the first to christen the Ink Blot Awards with the nickname, Blotties. I still can't afford to have a big celebration where we can all get blotto while celebrating the Blotties, but until then, have the beverage of your choice, kick back, and enjoy the Third Annual Life on the Wicked Stage Ink Blot Awards.

Cue the dancing girls. Enjoy!

Sunday Morning Reading

Some Sunday morning reading to share.

Google becomes GM on the road to the White House. On the one hand, I'm glad politicians see some wisdom in speaking to important business constituencies. On the other hand, I think dog and pony shows don't lead to much, except donations.  Via NY Times.

What is a blog? Good answer here.

Facebook has raised a lot of questions and ire all about the Beacon advertising scheme. Long from over, but I think the line may have been crossed. Don't you love the innocence and greed of American capitalism? Marc Orchant also weighs in on this on his way out of the door. Hugh MacLeod weighs in here.

Dave Winer on podcasting. Dave brings this idea about a podcasting device up every once in awhile. He's correct in his assumptions. I wish it would happen.

The Courts order Bush and cronies to turn over data on the Telcoms and how they gave up your data. Via CrunchGear. Do you read about the Facebook thing and wonder when the Feds are going to go after that goldmine?

The EFF is still on Comcast's butt about their downshifting users' bandwidth. Comcast still is saying it doesn't. I can't prove it, but I think it is happening here. Not on BitTorrent, but on some media uploading and downloading.

Richard Belzer on banks, the sub-prime chaos, and history. Andrew Jackson would say I told you so.

Linda Epstein's Annual List for Santa. A must see shopping lists of Tablet PCs, UMPCs, and gadgets galore.

The Washington Post profiles Martin Scorsese. Good read on one of my favorite film directors.

Double Dave. Dave Winer on the writer's strike. What he's saying will be heresy to some. Religion to others. And it will be a muddled mess for quite some time beyond this strike.

Michael Parekh on Verizon's move to openness. Are they wolves in sheep's clothing?

Why Twitter can be hazardous to your job security. Too funny.

Technorati Tags: Google,Facebook,Comcast,Tablet PC,UMPC,Verizon,Twitter

Brave Blogging from a Friend

Loren Heiny is one of those friends I've never met in person. He's had quite a challenge this year battling cancer. He's blogged bravely about it here. You're the man, Loren.