garry blogs

I got asked by WeeKee @ http://weekee.posterous.com/not-cool-enough-for-a-mac a very simple question - What has my mac solved for me?

The quick answer is - I no longer smash my keyboard against the monitor in frustration… =) and i figure it saves me a few years of my life in the long run! haha..

But seriously, it's just the way it all just works. My life is so synchronized and organized, from the way iPhoto takes care of my photos, auto-tagging faces it recognizes, to iTunes syncing my music and movies into my iPod and iPhone, to my contacts being synced 5-ways at all times - laptop, desktop, web, iPhone, iPod. Ditto for my calendar.

And you need to see Quicksilver in action to see how much more productive it can make you… every 5 minutes here and there cuts away a few hours a week (or month). Someone asks me to send them an attachment. It takes me a total of about 5 seconds from the moment my fingers touch the keyboard to having a composed email with the file attached sent off to the receipent. It's efficiency redefined.

Not to mention that it doesn't hanggggggggggggg the way Windows does (and takes away an hour of my lifespan and a small piece chipped off my monitor and keyboard everytime it happens).

Also, not something everyone uses, but I love the fact that it's based on Unix. I can do whois, nslookup, etc etc all in 2 seconds, unlike going to the web and doing all the regular clicking around and taking 20-30 seconds just to do some stuff. And you get all the regular cronjobs, etc etc too - my mac polls all my regular anime sites for bittorrent downloads so it's all ready to watch when I'm back from work.

The possibilities are quite endless.

For the regular user, a mac can really help through the ease-of-use, but it really SHINES when a power-user makes full use of (1) it's superior user interface and scriptable features, (2) it's unix-based core, and (3) superior applications!

Ok, I think I have to justify (3). I think it's common knowledge enough that the Mac community in general as a demographic are more willing to spend on software and are more insistent on quality that is not just about a piece of software not hanging, but also user-interface, usability and innovation. This has led to much, much better quality software in the Mac arena as compared to Windows. Just look at all the crappy shareware and freeware around in Windows! On the contrary, Mac software tend to be more well-rounded, and not just focused on features, features, features (ending up in bloatware), but also on the holistic user experience. I just love that.

Well, I've ranted enough. But that said, I am, for the first time, looking forward to the release of Windows 7. There's enough hype that Microsoft has finally copied enough of Apple's stuff (hehe) to make a decent-performing OS. It might just be my first Windows box in a long time

Original post at garry blogs

via nytimes.com

Used to go kiteboarding in Oakland back in the days when I was in Silicon Valley. Recall it always seemed like a slightly messy place (compared to the much tamer Sunnyvale or Mountain View where most of the startups were based).

Then, I always wonder why the police officers were so darn tense and rude and all-high-and-mighty whenever they pulled someone (actually, me, haha) over. I guess like this officer says:

“When you stop someone, you just never know who is in the car,” he said. “It could be that you stop someone with a license that needs to be renewed and they have an assault rifle. You just can’t know.”

Scary job indeed. I can’t say I like the police officers in the US a lot, but they sure do a much needed job. I just wish they were a lot nicer than they are.

To these poor men who perished in the line of duty, rest in peace.

Original post at garry blogs

via straitstimes.com

This is the idiot who caused a poor 52-year old man’s death. By wandering onto the PIE, apparently intoxicated. What is WRONG with these people?

You caused the death of someone’s father, brother and son. All because you were irresponsibly enough to be Jaywalking under influence.

I hope when you recover, the guilt haunts you for life.

Original post at garry blogs

Courtesy of Graze @ Rochester. Best American / Australian breakfast I’ve had in a while. Sausages, sunnyside up, mushrooms, baked beans, potatoes, bacon, and half a grilled tomato topped with herbs and peach salsa in a hot iron pan. Heaven!
 
Heard they have a fantastic dessert platter too. Didn’t have space for that today after brunch but will definitely be going back for that!

Original post at garry blogs

via apple.com

Let’s face it, the new shuffle is small. Really small. To me, it’s TOO small. I’ll probably lose it within a week.

But the voiceover feature is a good thing for a shuffle. Now, it actually makes sense, because previously, I couldn’t put my Spanish audio lessons in there. It’ll jump all over the place and I’d never be able to go to Lesson #X since I have over a thousand songs in that puny thing.

Now, I’m actually considering getting it. No, better not. I’m broke.

What I’d actually like to see is someone hack it into a pair of headphones. No wires, you know? I know someone who actually did that with the old shuffle. It took a pretty big pair of headphones coz yeah, the old shuffle was pretty big still. Now it’s smaller than a key! I’m sure there’s some cool stuff that can be done.

Will be waiting out for that!

Original post at garry blogs

Original post at garry blogs

Original post at garry blogs

It was quite a shock when I read on the papers today about the AWOL and demise of Allan, especially in such unusual circumstances.
 
He was a good pal in BMT, and very hardworking and promising. Frankly, he was quite an inspiration - I wanted to be like him in many areas.
 
I don’t know why you went AWOL, or why your body was found under the bridge in Melbourne, but I hope the answers will be found soon.
 
May you rest in peace, Allan.

Original post at garry blogs

Original post at garry blogs

NEW Price List from Traffic Police… Price increases without further notice! Plus, HOT SPOTS!

Speeding

• Exceeding 1 - 20km/h = $130 + 4 demerit points.
• Exceeding 21 - 30km/h = $150 + 6 demerit points.
• Exceeding 31 - 40km/h = $180 + 8 demerit points.  
• Exceeding 41 - 50km/h = >$200 + 12 demerit points + Court.
• Exceeding 51 - 60km/h = >$200 + 18 demerit points + Court.
• Exceeding >61km/h = >$200 + 24 demerit points + Court…

If you want to be a hero and fight the court case yourself, AND you lose, you pay the court charges yourself too! I guess the court charges is at least $200 and above.  

More Nonsense Driving

• Careless driving = $150 + 6 demerit Points.
• Inconsiderate Driving = $170 + 9 Demerit Points + Court.
• Dangerous Driving = >$200 + 24 Demerit Points + Court + Vehicle Compounded.
• Illegal Racing = >$200 + Vehicle Confiscated + Court.
• Fail to put Seat Belt = $120 + 3 demerit points.
• Crossing Double White lines = $130 + 4 points.
• Phone and Drive = $200 + 12 demerit point + Phone Confiscated.
• Do not hold your phone in your hand when you drive, even with loud speaker or ear piece on!
• Drink Driving
• For first offence. = Up to $5000 Fine And, or jail Term + License Suspended + Court.
• 2nd time offence = Jail term + Fine + Court.
• Making an illegal U Turn when there's no U Turn sign = $70.
• Fail to Signal when changing lanes = $70.
• Driving at night without headlights or taillights switch on after 7pm = $30.
• No Number Plate = $70.
• Obstructed Number Plate = $70.
• Obscured Number Plate = $70.
• Number Plate of Unapproved Type = $70.

Demerit Point system

Let's say you have 0 points on 1st January 2005, but you committed the offence of Failing to Put on Seat Belt. So now, you will have 3 demerit points and this will last for 1 Year. If during this 1 year you have no demerit points offence at all, your 3 demerit points will be gone on 1/1/2006. But, if during this one year, From 1/1/2005 - 1/1/2006, you committed another offence with demerit points, your very first offence will be extended for another year until 1/1/2007 .

HOT Spots!

Original post at Road is Life