Skyegg Server

A few 2850s in a cabinet
Originally uploaded by textdrive.

The server I use is in that rack somewhere. Now how many hosting companies will show you that? (Don't answer, I don't really want to know.)

Who cares about Microsoft search?

It looks like Microsoft is gearing up for its next big battle. After soundly defeating Lotus, Novell, and Netscape (just to name a few), Microsoft is apparently ready to take a stab at Google. From Microsoft, Google Setting Course For Likely Major Online Collision (IBD, 9-20-2005):

"We are committed to being No. 1 in Internet services?search included?(and) No. 1 in Internet advertising."

Steve Ballmer, CEO, Microsoft

The thing is, I don't want Microsoft Search. I don't want MSN. I could care less about Hotmail. That's not what Microsoft is to me.

For me, Microsoft develops a popular and usable operating system and a pretty good development platform. (I'm not looking to start a Windows vs. Linux vs. whatever fight here.) Microsoft's software is everywhere, it's a platform lots of us use and rely on to our daily work.

But they simply are not an Internet platform. No single player can be. The Internet is as vast as it is because there are so many tools for the job coupled with workable standards. The openness provided by tools like Flickr, Google Maps, and the various blogging tools is where it's at.

There are sound reasons why car companies are not in the tire business, even though every car needs tires. Imagine if Microsoft concentrated those resources and securing and improving Windows instead?

Animations

I just added a new top-level item "Animations" which contains a bunch of animated GIFs that I've created over the years. These use a simple Creative Commons license and can be used on commercial and non-commercial web sites.

Most of the images were created with Headline Studio, a fine product that I believe is no longer available. Rather than focusing on frame-by-frame animation, the product focused on algorithmic movement and effects, making it pretty natural to create interesting animations.

Black Eight

Sometimes I'm amazed how people can tell when you're stressed and pulling your hair out -- and then do something about it. My friend and coworker Dan brought in this great "Black Eight" kit that we'll polish off tonight. Just what I needed! We've had two builds in a row and are scrambling to finish all the work. I have really been unable to relax, to the point where work is just flashing through my mind like some sort of warped multi-threaded video player. This definitely hits the spot.

Black Eight Originally uploaded by lore.

Wing Graphing Completed

Head on over to my FREE Software site and grab the latest beta of Wing, my network ping monitor. Wing now supports graphing and includes a how-to document on skinning. If you make a cool skin, please pass it along and I'll add it to the list.

2005

Happy New Year!

Let's work for a successful, happy 2005, solutions to global crises, and peace.