AntoineRJWright.com

I am at my desktop now. I was thinking that I did not want to be on my desktop any tonite, but I had to sync and pull email off the server and so I am. Syncing is a good thing as that does backup my device and got some much needed info on there, but the idea of the email not being able to be deleted off the server with the email client on my Treo is a bit of a pain. I'd go to another email client, but for me accessibility should not mean empty wallet ya know?

I was sent a few days ago a really interesting link asking questions about why we go to church. If you are interested, here it is (a PDF file). Thought that it was really good too, but at the same time, reading that was part of the reason why I think that church is not the right model of fellowship that we should have towards growing with each other in faith.

Some weeks ago, my aunt called me asking for good prices for MS Office. I am a fan of MS Office, only when it is needed though. For the most part, open source software has been made that is both a bit more functional, and safer, than MS Office. To that end I pointed her to download OpenOffice, and she likes it. I found today another list of open source software for all types of needs. Basically speaking, all that you really need to pay for is the hardware, most of the software you need for a desktop and laptop is quite free and very usable.

Some folks say that I am into phones a bit too much. But this one looks pretty neat. I wonder what US carrier will have it first. Seems like it would be perfect for T-Mobile or Sprint.

For now, that is all that I shall post. I must get some rest and finish cleaning data off the Treo and adding new data so that I can be on point when certain questions are asked of me. Many blessings to all, and if you are in Philly on Saturday, give me a buzz as I will be too. Read More

Its been one of those sit in the pjs all day kinda days. I have done almost nothing, and rested a good deal. And per the normal when I rest a lot, I get on this desktop and redesign some website.

Well, not completely. I did release the new design for Mobile Ministry Magazine. I am very happy that it is out. I like the layout and the color scheme. There are a few more things to add to it, but right now, it looks nice and I am very happy.

Of course, before that I was playing with QR codes and added what you see now to the right and in the post footer. Basically, its a 2D code that gives a bit of info about me. You need a QR Code reader, get that from the folks at Kaywa. But other than that, it will just look like a weird UPC symbol to you.

Its just a bit of the new that I know that I have to keep pushing myself towards using and realizing. While I would want for everyone to understand me, all of this. Its probably next to impossible unless you want to here about the merging of faith and tech and what that means for me/you/the world. And we all know that I can talk a lot ;-) Read More

The Blogger Minority
It always seems that I am in the minority in doing something. Whether it is using a phone as my Internet device, carrying a "old school" pocket watch, or laughing at work, it just seems that I am in the minority when it comes to things. It's probably more because I am stubborn than anything else, but I do find things and stick with them unless given a reason otherwise.

Like my choice of using Blogger as my choice for a blogging platform. Just about every professional blogger that I know uses products such as Wordpress, Movable Type, or Typepad. And there is now the Nokia backed Vox that is making a sharp come up to mobile users. It just seems like I have hitched my wagon to the wrong horse.

So why do I use Blogger?
One big reason is that it is absoutely simple to setup and use. I have both used and setup Wordpress and TypePad blogs, and while the customization options and plugin options are great. I hated the learning curve. When it came to tweaking my template to do the look and feel that I wanted, Movable Type is probably easier, but Blogger just stayed really simple.

Now granted, I have not moved to the newer version of Blogger. I will be moving one of my blogs to Movable Type and so I am waiting out that switchout to do so. But until then, I do grapple with Blogger, and the blogging client that I have on my Treo, Mo:Blog. They really do seem like a great match.

Which probably leads me to the other reason that I stay with Blogger. I like using Mo:Blog (usually, when it doesn't kill the RSS feed titles or butcher links). I am able to get on my Treo and just write a post and choose to publish it when I want to. Many times I can be on the Metro with no signal, and then just write. When I get off the Metro, hit publish and then boom it is there. There are some issues with titles not appearing right (if you look then you can notice as I didn't completly fix that in my CSS), but overall its simple and works. If I could have a list of my blogs to link back to and could much easier attach photos from my photo blog, that would be great. But that is some of the price I pay for this platforms that I use.

So yea, its not that complicated. I use what I use because it works. And who knows, maybe in you reading this you would find a reason to choose something based on ease of use rather than just a feature or two.
~ sent from Treo via Mo:Blog Read More

The Other Part of My Week
I said earlier that I would talk some about the rest of my week and so here it goes.

I entered the week a lot tired from being out a lot on Friday night and most of Saturday. And while it was that Sunday was not too stressful, I was reminded why I don't like being still long. It just get boring unless I am in a quiet place and my thoughts are at peace.

Work was interesting. You know, I am not allowed to talk about work on my blog. I think its a nearly silly policy, but that is the dotted line that I signed and they too have their integrity and clients to protect. Goes to show that me being transparent just isn't what the corporate world needs right ;)

Of note:
I went to see the place Jitney (August Wilson was the playwright). It was a very good showing and I was able to go wti a few friends of mine that enjoy theatre. It was also good to just be able to go out and kinda just share and outing, not necessarly give one.

The hardest part of that play was near the end when the father character died in a work related accident. Seeing how the son found out and how he felt empty for the lack of relationship that he had with his fathe brought back memories and a big hole for me. I barely held myself together the rest of the night. In talking with Trev, I just broke down. While I know there are other men who can be that father figure, sometimes you just want your dad.

So that was most of what was on my heart today. I know that it most definitely effected how I went at work today as I had a project that I could have done in a few hours, but took the day to really sit and go thru since I was on the early side of getting things done. At least I hope so, things change really fast at times when they come to the developers and what they need to output by a specific date.

Spent the time at Borders with Aileen as I stated in the last post, but really would like to be in NC right now. She noticed that too, and tis a good thing to have friends who are able to hear your heart and encourage you in prayer and what have you.

I posted the last few blogs as I was on the Metro. Right now I am in the apt warming up some Budget Gormet. Tonite is just one of those nights where I am just going to try and rest. Seems like I have done everything but rest, and God has nailed my heart many times in the past for not doing so.

To my friends and family who read this all, I do hope that you all know I miss all of you. In trying to be this mobile dude, I want to also not lose the interpersonal side of things. Its hard on my end because I am away from most of you. But you all know I am pushing south and have a dream of my own that I wanna touch. I hope that you can all encourage me in it, even if it seems that there is nothing there that you can understand. Its just me following my heart, and I hope that it outputs in me being able to love you all better.

Away I go, the mac and cheese is getting cold.
~ sent from Treo via Mo:Blog Read More

At the Metro, At the Mobile
I think that it is that I do too much of this thinking about the intersection of the mobile comuter and life. While I know that it is that some pf my friends and family appreciate the idea, the functionality of things leaves somerhing to be desired that most are not even sure that they want.

Just out with Aileen at Borders and talked about one of those intersections where the mobile and a magazine can lead to keeping design and print alive. You see a magazine that you want, but are not sure, so you snap a pictuire of the QR/UPC code and are given the option to read the instantly sent preview article, or purchase the article/full subscription rifht on your phone. Via a text message you confirm and get a recipt that you either show at the bookstore, or wait until it is deleivered in a few days. Kinda neat if you ask me, and the tech is already being used in other countries.

Or like now, I am in the mist of transferring to another line. Instead of just blogging, I could use bluetooth bilboards to download coupons ot post to the WMATA message board something about this stop that I would like to see improved.

If you will, the intersetion of mobile tech should be where it is a part of our life, but also other threads and aspexts being shown and exposed all the time.

And even if it doesn't seem like it, this kind of interaction is ready to happen. I just would like to see it in more than blogs and in my imagination.
~ sent from Treo via Mo:Blog Read More

Casualities of Mobile Computing
Here I am at work, posting this from my Treo and having a heavy heart. Though, in this post I will just talk about the computing side off things.

The day started with me turning on my Treo and then it resetting. I then lost all my preferences and registration codes for all of my applications. This is something that some users of Palm OS Treos experience a lot. For me, its been a while. I spent the bulk of the morning inputting in rerg codes and then finally reading a few RSS feeds.

Then as the day has gone on, I was not even sure that my batteries for my keyboard would work. The keyboard has been fuzzing all week, and for now it seems to be doing well. Why cannot get that USBCell battery - baasically a battery that recharges in a USB port - to have a AAA version. That would be great. Heck, just give me wireless charging. Its here now so let's use it.

Another issue that hass come up is that I probably do need to wipe this device and then reinstall everything. Sure, I have a backup program and have backed up dang near everyy app on my Treo, but that is just as much a hassle ass using a desktop.

A post at PDA 24/7 talked about how much closer smartphones are getting closer to actually being able to replace desktops for much of what we want to do. I don't hesitatet o agree with that at all, but there is not yet enough money to be made in being mobile for the great desktop paradigm to change just yet - but it is coming close.

...this will be continued at some point with a personal rant of sorts. Cannot wait to see how that makes me fare in various places.
~ sent from Treo via Mo:Blog Read More

Was just reading my RSS feeds again and Ring Nokia reported that Darla Mack is getting a Nokia N95 to review.

I talked to Nokia a good bit at CES and the N95 was a good bit of my conversation as it is an extraordinary phone. I played with it enough to get a review of it into Brighthand.

Not that I need another phone to be reviewing right now (I have the Treo 750 to finish), but this would be a nice one to investigate.
~ sent from Treo via Mo:Blog
~ edit: added picture and specific links Read More

Business Cards, Eh, Blah
I know that it is just one of those common practice things, but one of those business social acts of passing business cards to one another should be something that is nearly eliminated now that we have mobile phones. Why? Because what do we do when we get that info from a business card? We put it in our phones. Why don't we just rely on SMSing or Bluetoothing business cards to one another?

Sure, you miss out on that tangeable pocket cluttering aspect of having a ton of business cards. But then you also miss out on the time that it would take for you to transcribe that info into your addrerss book.

If you got the info into your phone immediately, you could just categorieze it as someone you want to speak to again or not and just be done with it. And then you could leave the artsy side of the card to people having to make attractive pictures to accompany their contacts - if not the company logos themselves.

Granted, I am saying this after starting the great migration of business card data into my Treo/Outlook database from CES. But man, it would have been so much nicer if everyone was like Paul from Palm and just beamed me their info. That was cool and convienent, and much appreciated.
~ sent from Treo via Mo:Blog Read More

Another Mobile Effect
I am here on the metro and sitting next to a woman that has a Sony Ericsson P910 handset. Sad thing on me is that I ended up doing the same thing I always do, asking the pretty woman what phone she has and how does she use it. Contrary to popular opinon, women do like stylish and functional mobiles. The harder thing to do is to seperate the person from their phone. Does the phone that a person has say something about them? Possibly. But if that SE is any indication, function and style can be had in any package, but only special folks take full advantage of all of their tools.

Crazy how mobile devices do this to me every day.
~ sent from Treo via Mo:Blog Read More

This will probably be a two part posting, with one part here and the other at MMM. Who knows, it really does depend on how I feel once this all comes out.

There is something that has in one respect been a bug to me since my laptop went out on me nearly a year ago: whether it is that I really need a laptop or desktop at all. I really am feeling that there is almost no need for me to have a desktop or laptop at all. Not because they aren't useful, but mainly because to an increasing degree, I don't want to be bothered with computing on them.

I was just reading an article linked at Slashphone and it made a lot of sense to me why the Japanese were not impressed with the Apple iPhone. For many mobile users in Japan, the iPhone just represents good design but nothing that can help them keep the phone as a life connecting device. Sure there is music and a nice screen, but the paradigm of use is different than what it is here in the States (either that or we are just not willing to stretch out our use of mobile tech). I am pretty sure that Apple could sell a ton of them here in the States. And that is great, but the Apple iPhone seems to be a device that relies on the computer to be a life connector. It cannot stand on its own. And as I look at how I use this Palm Treo, I am like the Japanese and want something that will keep me from being so tied to a desktop or a wired Internet connection.

So what is it that my phone does now:
- I blog on it
- I write my articles for Brighthand and MMM on it
- I balance my budget on it
- I read the Bible on it
- I play games on it
- I surf the web (via both browsing and RSS)
- I do occasional web development on it
- I read most of my email on it

What could it do better:
- I wish that Documents to Go was more of a mobile document editor that had desktop power and functionality within its mobile interface. Its good, but could be a lot better in my opinion.
- I wish that VersaMail would delete my emails off the server when I tell it to (this is one of the main reasons that I still do have a desktop).
- I wish that it were just a touch easier to download and install music onto my device (right now the limitation is space and where to shop)
- and in general, I wish that the software was a little bit more stable (one or two resets a week is too many for me)

Other than that, I am really content with using my phone as my main and only computer. Sure, the screen can be an issue, and I could do for a slightly faster internet connection when looking at some pages, but in general, I am really pleased with where this device is and how I am able to use it. I can honestly say that this is exactly the device that I need for being me.

That being said, I cannot get rid of my desktop until I figure out a few things that are quite important:
- I need a way to backup my device either to a memory card or to a server that I own, but that has to happen when I am sleep, because I do not want it to happen during the day when I could be on a call or in the middle of an email.
- I would love for all the software that I would want to install or send to others to be easily able to be done so. Right now, some things I download come in ZIP files, but there are not intuitive unzipping programs for the Treo. That knocks out some programs from being used. When I am trying to send files to some one, there is not always an easy way to do so - menus, what does the person support on their computer, etc. - and so I am left looking for a solution moreso than just sending it.

And so I am back to a really important and relevant question:
Do I really need a desktop or laptop? As much as I can, I do not turn on my desktop. And even at work, I tend to jump between my work on a desktop and my work and email on my phone. Maybe I am just a bit too far ahead of my country-mates. Sure, I don't have a phone like they have in Asia, but if I did, I could see me doing a lot of the same things - extending the computing to be a connector in life, not just an associate of it.
~ sent from Treo via Mo:Blog Read More

Relaxing Is Me
In some ways, I think that I work so hard at times and do so much just so that I can have these times when there is nothing for me to do but rest. Sure, I like getting things done as much as the next person, but having a moment, such as right now, when there is snow and cold outside and I am inside (technically at Borders) it is good to just rest and not have too much on one's heart.

That being said, I am not sure that I want to go outside. People around here are crazy when driving in the rain, things take a wild turn for the worse when there is snow. Oh well.
~ sent from Treo via Mo:Blog Read More

Bedside Manner
Its an early night to bed for me. I don't know, I think it is that I just did a bit too much over the past few days and so my body is letting me know in a big way. I don't usually manage to go to bed this early much either. I will enjoy it that's for sure.

Kinda neat to be able to blog from the bedside though. Its not like its really anything special, but the computer is off and its quiet. I kinda feel like a writer who is up by candlelight and is just composing something that can either be great or not - but its a part of his heart nonetheelss.

New pictures on the photo blog from last night's album release party with Christcentric. Did a bit of hanging out and ended with a good convo and nearly falling asleep at the wheel.

Man I need to rest. Peace and blessings, don't forget your rest either.
~ sent from Treo via Mo:Blog Read More

At the Tea Cafe Again
It has been a while since I have been at the tea cafe with just me. And so I find myself back here with a few Treos and a keyboard and some tea. Already, it is refreshing here. I like when I am able to secure a Thursday like this and just do anything. With God's blessings, I hope to be able to do this all the time.

So what all has been going on since coming back from CES? Not too much really. Being that it has been getting colder and colder each day, I am not liking at all that it is winter. My body would feel so much better if it were warmer.

Nonetheless, the work has been warm. With articles being published at Brighthand and MMM, I have been busy. Well, more at Brighthand than MMM, as tonite I hope to catch up on some of my ideas there.

Today, I published an extended portfolio. I call it extended because previously I had those items listed on this page in the sidebar, but only what they were without any descriptions. Using Websnpr, I was able to capure thumbnails and then use the existing CSS that I have employed on this page to create something simple, yet presentable.

...my tea smells nice; mango tango is the flavor today...

And so I have now an easily updatable portfolio. The telling thing for me is that the HTML is simple enough that I can update it nearly anytime by using Dragon Edit on my Treo. Very nice indeed.

I have had quite a few people ask about blogging and smartphones lately. Sometimes I feel that I would be better doing that kind of consulting full time, but I think I am where I am for now because it is where I need to be. To steal what my bro said earlier today: "the Spirit of the Lord says like Luda's song '...when I move you move, just like that...' " Not that I am complaining (now) but I can feel that as being something more than appropriate for me.

I wonder what I will write about next? I honestly don't know. But the tea is smelling nice and my crab pretzel is here and so I can stop writing to enjoy the moment.
~ sent from Treo via Mo:Blog Read More

Moment to Reflect
from 2 Sam. 11
(11:1) Chapter 11 In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. (11:2) It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king's house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful. (11:3) And David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, "Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? " (11:4) So David sent messengers and took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her. (Now she had been purifying herself from her uncleanness.) Then she returned to her house.

My devotional talked about being aware of relaxing for a moment as that is when temptation can overtake you. Its revealing also the false strength David had at this moment, almost as if he knew that he had to either go for it fully or not at all.

I never like identifying with my sin when reading these things in the Word. It is surely a casuality of pride every time that I go forward and sin as if God were not there watching me. And like David, at the realization of my sin I am left hoping that mercy is found. For me to muse on anything else at the state of my heart would be a lie.

2 Sam. 12
(12:5) Then David's anger was greatly kindled against the man, and he said to Nathan, "As the LORD lives, the man who has done this deserves to die, (12:6) and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. " (12:7) Nathan said to David, "You are the man! Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, 'I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul. (12:8) And I gave you your master's house and your master's wives into your arms and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah. And if this were too little, I would add to you as much more.

For as much as people has asked of me several responses to sin and I have given them an answer. I also am convicted by the words of my mouth to knowing that without God's hand in the way, my way is wicked and I am but a soul torn from Him.
~ sent from Treo via Mo:Blog Read More

Misdirection of My Own
I had wanted to do a post at MMM about this post at Think Christian. But, as I sit here and think about what I deem as important, or what I feel is necessary to speak about. I don't see counter-pointing their post as being a fruitful means to do it. Sure, I disagree, but I'd do better just letting the fruit of my labor speak, rather than putting my mouth on something else.

I guess that its a part of me that just says that its better to do different, than just say that you are different.
~ sent from Treo via Mo:Blog Read More

Just Another Day
Well no, it is not really just another day. I am back towards my normal flow of things and find myself at church on Sunday again. This time though I am here not to have a void filled as much as it is to keep my responsiblities intact after not being here a while. It was a good time away, but I am also glad to be back at the normal course of doing things.

I had a great time with the kids today. Even moreso when Sunday school was over and I was seeing other kids as they passed by. One family and I stopped to talk a bit and it was just really cool to chop it up with their daughters for a while. Made me want again to be a parent, but with a bit of reservation to making sure that I have my stuff together.

Speaking of together, sometthing that I am really working on is finding stability. I know me, I like to keep moving to the next things. And I do get borded with the same thing happening all the time. I am hoping that I make the right decsions in the coming weeks and months so that I am not just glorifying God, but also not so restless in wanting to get from one place to another.

Tis just one of those days. But more than any other day, I am finding peace in knowing that there is a place to go in God that is chill, and at the same time wanting a bit more.
~ sent from Treo via Mo:Blog Read More

Counterpoint: Web Standards Matter
There was an article that I caught in my RSS feeds called Web Standards Don't Matter (As Much As You Think). And while it was that the title got to be a bit, I think that the article wass going down the right road, just with the wrong language.

The first issue is the audience that this article was going towards. Where web standards do not matter to a casual web user (or any of us when we just want to find something), the article spoke less towards why the causal shoud not care, but more TO the developer who SHOULD care. If this article stated its point, "hey web developers, normal users don't care about your standards, they just want something usable." Then the article would have made a better point.

Another place that this article misses is in that same audience misdirection. Truth be told, developers usually think about user experience AFTER they think about features that can be added. If the focus is on usability and accessilbity first, then the feature fluff is in a sense not fluff at all but something that actually meets a point and goal.

The article addresses usability, but not in the vein of how usability should infulence incorporating web standards in a way that matters.

For example, before I left IDI/PGC, I designed a website that was nearly 100% accessible, usable, and met the client's needs. At the bottom of the page I added a button that stated the correctness of the code. While users could care less, this would have been a sign to developers that "hey, this is a site that is coded right, come read me." The client did not know what it was. And did not care, they just saw it at the bottom. When it was explained what it meant for them (accessiblity and awards), the client understood and let the buttons stand, therefore allowing that kind of coding to continue. Web standards could then matter to the end user, but not before their needs for the sitee were met.

Now granted, some of you reading this might not have a clue about web standards, but you do know what it is that you want: a website that looks good, that works, and occasionally will wow you. Developers have a different need and need to be spoken to differently. It is not that we don't have the same goals of an accessible and usable web, we just travel different ways to get there.

That is what that article misses the most, and why its argument is a fire starter, it will no more be matchstick in a vaccum because it was not worded and directed correctly.
~ sent from Treo via Mo:Blog Read More

Wow Lord, You've Kept Me
Sitting at the airport waiting for my flight and I am really thankful. God has kept me from being a lot of things that many times I struggle with. I am thankful.

I've been in front of folks that have made my mouth drop (for various reasons) and God has showed me wisdom and peace. Thanks Dad.

I have seen what good reputation can do for a person both good and bad. I have listened to people who have been writing a lot longer than me say that I am running this race correctly. Man, I am grateful.

Thanks Brighthand for inviting me on this trip. But Moreso thank you Lord for your steady hand and provisons of grace.
~ sent from Treo via Mo:Blog Read More

At CES, in LAs Vegas
Well, this was supposed to be a first post yesterday, but I forgot that I didn't hit the send button and so it is a two day thing from CES with Brighthand.

It should be fun and work both here. But this is something that I will enjoy. Already I am feelin tired, but that is more from not sleeping last night and cat napping way too much,

Ah well, off the Treo now, gotta find a bigger and charged battery else Ima be outa power in a place with too much other power to go around...lol

Day 2
Here on day two there have been more meetings and seeing of quite a number of new and interesting devices. I don't want to do Brighthand any injustice, so do visit there to read about the devices.

However, I can talk about me here and what I have been feeling.

It has been on one part quite interesting to see all of the devices. I like them. Its really cool to read and talk to different companies as to what it is that they are doing.

Even as I write this, the globization of this event is incredible. A group is at the table speaking German with other press folks. Its quite nice.

There are way too many beautiful women here. Heck, at one instance walking to the Microsoft tent, a group of "interestingly dressed women" walked by promoting DirectTV. All in all though, it seems to still be a manly event, though there are more women here than I remember the last time that I was here (2005).

There are some spiritual aspects of things that I will speak on at MMM once I am done here at CES and have had a chance to collect my thoughts some. But its true that I wouldn't be able to be here and remain in some kind of rest and sanitty if it were not for the Spirit of the Lord. There is way too much in terms of lust, pride, and covetiousness that is here to not just keep mindful of God's heart for us.

Thanks to my friends keeping me in prayer. I really appreciate it. Off to work again...well that and I need to save my Treo's battery.
~ sent from Treo via Mo:Blog Read More

I love that title, and today it really fits.

I speak a good deal about using the mobile web and my Treo to get things done, but there is something to be said for those Saturdays when I am not driving anywhere and just sitting in my pjs and just letting some time go by. I might kick up a book or two, soak in some sun, or just meditate on how the past weeks have been.

Today is one of those days, and I am in front of the computer (I know, I know) but re-associating myself with LinkedIn and looking for some more contacts to connect to. As a service, it is pretty neat. Using business and social connects to link up to other people. Some people you don't link to directly, but you connect to them thru other people. Kinda like a 6 degrees of separation mentality. Its something that I can spend an hour looking thru on a Saturday like this and not really feel like this social network is the face and space of my life.

One of the other reasons that I like Saturdays like this is that I get to get to some websites that I have either never been to, or not been to in a good while. One that I came across (that made me go back to LinkedIn) was How to Change the World. It was really this post on using LinkedIn better and this one on the power of evangelism that got me thinking that I do need to make better my use of the connections that I have. I'd love to see something great come out of LinkedIn, but at this time, I am not sure that I have the time (nor is it a mobile friendly service).

Of course, I am finally getting time to do some admin work at Bible+ and MMM, and so I am happy with that as well.

But the best part for me is that I am not driving, I am not (really) working, and I am kicking back and letting my body rest some. Its one of those things that I really do celebrate in life (that rest is available). Good thing too, else I would start smelling like gas and rubber....vroooom! Read More

I Want Something Else to Be Mobile
I am sitting here on my Treo doing emails, checking websites, posting to blogs and what have you, but there is something that I need to do from my desktop and I don't want to go thru the trouble of turning it on just to get the information that I need. Speciafically, I need to get the names of some pictures and then send those names with their placement into a document to another person. And I know that this is something that is not difficult, but I wish that I didn't have to go on my desktop to do it.

Ideally, I would like to have a digital camera that was able to hold a few gigabites of photos (20GB would be perfect) but then it would have Bluetooth so that I could use my Treo to browse the contents and then select which ones that I want to upload to my online photo repository. From that page, I would tag the photos with whatever information that would make it easier to search for later and then upload the photos in a smaller web format (VGA - 640x480px is just fine but 800x600 could work there too) so that I could get them when I would need them.

Because the photos are tagged, I could then use my "ultimate search and collection" application on my Treo to search in that online repository for the pics, and then email the links to those pics to where I need those to go, or even just collect the links for myself and publish it on a blog or to a news website so that the information about those would be available.

Of course, to do something like this would require a developer and some nice sized server space - or at least someone who can plug this into Flkr or some other photo sharing site. One would also need a bluetooth equipped digital camera. But other than that, the rest is a play of the semantic web and then taking the usability of a mobile device and its connectivity to extend informaiton without using a desktop in the process. This is something that I would hope to see at some point this year, but at this time, I do not see anyone who wants to take advantage of the semantic web and mobile devices in such a means.

Ah well, I'll just have to do it the old fashioned way I guess. But that idea was really neat don't you think?
~ sent from Treo via Mo:Blog Read More

When The Internet Goes Down
Not a question that many care to think about, but considering issues with virus outbreaks on networks and natural disasters, the Internet going down is something to consider when one is thinking about technology. Its not so much that we are totally devoide of using pen, paper, a landline, or radio to get information to and from places, but that the world has really jumped onto using the Internet and its a good and bad thing.

In one instance recently, a place where I was had the Internet go out for about five mintes, and while most folks can find something to do, some people have jobs that rely on being connected to and jumping on and off the Internet. In my case, I just pulled out my Treo and keyboard and proceeded to do a few emails and catch up on a few things. But had this been one of those instances where both landline and wireless Internet access went out, I would probably be a bit on the bored side.

But let's look at it from the perspective of just land-based Internet access going down and being reelegated to using a smartphone or Wi-Fi connected Internet device. Sure, you can do things such as email, text messaging, and some browsing. But after a prolonged time, you will find that you have to either adjust your usage patterns to a smaller screen and fewer system resources. You might find that you cannot create content that is as rich as what you make on a full computer in this cases, but you will find that the increased mobility can open you up to moving around the world physically, instead of sitting at a big screen to interact with it.

Come to think about it, that last point is kinda neat. Maybe we need to just be mobile computing based so that we at least have incentive to get out to the rest of the world. It just might make things a bit less stressing.
~ sent from Treo via Mo:Blog Read More

One of the recent additions to my HTML skill library has been the understanding of microformats. Microformats are simply a way to tag a collection of information within HTML/XHTML that makes it usable for other content mechanisms to use it. For example, coding one's name, address, phone number and email with microformats enables "intelligent readers" to pull out that information and "create" a contact that you can store within your address book. Microformats are a part of a budding and important web design/development/use trend called semantic web design, and I believe that on the mobile web side of things, a browser that can use microformats and other semantic web features can finally make the mobile web a powerful agent for more than just information search.

The Semantic Web
Probably the way to go about defining what the semantic web is would be to start with Wikipedia's definition:

Essentially, the semantic web is creating a system of identifying and using information that is more in relation to the way that we innately relate things, rather than the direct relations and associations that technology forces us to do. The tagging that is used on many blogs and aggregation websites, vertical search engines, and some aspects of online mapping and calendering all seek to bring the web from the mess of "just a lot of information" to a more understandable "lot of usable information."

Where The Mobile Comes In
Using a mobile device to get anything on the web can be a fight in frustration. You have a smaller screen, meaning more scrolling on some webpages. That also means less screen space to add things like extra browser windows; so you have to switch application screens to get info from one place to another. Getting information even in one program to relate to another part of that program (for example, bookmarking a verse in the Bible but wanting to add that note to several verses) is not even possible for the most part (in some cases there are programs that help facilitate this, but that adds even another step). Using semantically coded information, the bulk of processing information for use in various content shapes and forms is already done. All that is needed is some kind of agent to make the change happen.

And to me, this is where the browser comes in. From a post that I read at Read/WriteWeb, I caught onto a plugin for my Firefox web browser that would allow me to see if a web page has semantically created information (hCard for contacts, hCalendar for event and calendar information, geo for geographical coordinates, or tag for information tags usually contained on blogs) and then export that information to a web service so that I can better use it. While there are not a lot of websites that are using these microformats and semantic coding, it is interesting to see that there is some of this information being created out there.

If a mobile browser supported the semantic web just as this plugin does, one would be easily able to make the jump to using a web service in concert with a mobile device in order to keep aspects of their lives intact. For example, you get a notice via email that there is an event that you have been invited to. You go to the webpage, but it says that it requires a Flash plugin to view. However, you browser notices that there is a hCalendar item on the page and highlights for you (or notifies you with an icon near the address bar) that this information is usable. You then click on that item and the browser asks if you want to save this to your calendar on your device, or send it to your online calendar to sync later. You choose to send it to your online calendar and then go about browsing and reading just as you were. No extra typing in information, and you have just made the browser less the information portal, but now more like the hand off person of that information from that person/group to you.

A second example could be in a Bible program. You get to a verse and notice that it would be relevant to your study on Greek culture. So you highlight that information and tag it "Greek Culture." Later on, you go to your tag list within the Bible reader and want to export all of the verses that you noted relating to Greek Culture, the information is exported in the hReview format with hyperlinks to your Bible reader and the verses that you exported. That hReview document can then be emailed or printed, but you have in your hand that information that you need and without the effort of having to copy and paste a slew of verses into a document, format that document, and then send it wherever.

Get It?
And this is why the mobile web needs a semantic kick. It is not that we do not like to get online and read emails, IM, and everything else. It is true though that trying to duplicate the Internet experience on the mobile device is not at all pleasant and can sour us to the Internet as a whole. Asking developers to embrace semantic mark-up within their programs (especially programs such as browsers, word processors and personal information programs) would take down a significant hurdle in making the retrieval process of getting information online with a mobile device. After that, we can have fun with the highly interactive Flash and mobile AJAX things that have made the Internet once again fun on the desktop. But we need developers to take a few pages out of their books and rewrite the way that they expect for us to interact with our mobile devices and mobile-enabled services. Get rid of the paradigm of trying to do things the same way that they are done on the desktop and really tap into the usablity and power of that which is an accessible, usable, and mobile Internet. Read More

Addressing my Faith's Dressing
After taking a read of this article at Think Christian, it made me think about all that I do talk about and how/if I am sure on all that I stand. truth be told, this is probably the worst time for me to write this, but my heart knows that being clear in faith is key to being clear in life.

God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:
I cannot say that I think about God like others do. I see the Father as Creator, Husbandman, Purveyor of the hearts of men and willing to dish out mercy and grace to anyone who will love them. Jesus is His Son. I see that love was the only way that we could be reconciled to God. Probably the hardest for me to acceopt for some time was that Jesus was Dad's demonstration of love to us in both sending Jesus and breaking Jesus for me (and you too). The Holy Spirit is kinda neat. I have always said that he is the nutrient to a good mean (Jesus being the bread of life and man not being able to live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the Father). While it was hard to grapple with the love that came in Jesus, it is my daily struggle with everything me that makes understanding the Holy Spirit one part a joy and another part a fustration in myself. The Holy Spirit is an internal leading, and external confirming, and a general wowing of who Dad and Jesus are and the Holy Spirit fits them into my life.

I am still working the kinks out, but yea, that is that part.

I am not a purveyor of demoninations, but seek to find common ground where possible and not get miffed on the insignifiant stuff:
So what if a person esteems a "saint" or a holiday over another. I don't. I care that they live a life that is a living testament to the death and resurrection of Jesus. And if that be enough to piss some folks off, fine, just let me see Matthew 7 for what it says and not for what culture says that it says.

I will have to touch on more of those aspects of my faith's dressing later as I am at work and it doesn't look good to be on one's Treo while working. But it sure felt good to start this one.
~ sent from Treo via Mo:Blog Read More

This whole blog tagging thing is getting fun. Last night I got two messages that I have been blog tagged by Kevin and Patrick.

For those who missed them, because I post oh so much, here are my tag responses and a small backtrack to see where in the tagging line I came in.

I also got to speak with Russ McGuire some via email today and it was really cool. I really wonder how far this blog tagging will go. I know that I can only talk about it on a few sites that I do, but its good to stretch some and see how big and connected the Internet can be.

First time today that I've felt at peace about something. That's gotta be a good thing. Read More

First Musings
From my devotional reading today:
(49:8) Thus says the LORD: "In a time of favor I have answered you; in a day of salvation I have helped you; I will keep you and give you as a covenant to the people, to establish the land, to apportion the desolate heritages,

Not that this is not something that I want to hear. But, it does feel more like I am in a few desolate places. No, the exterior situation all over is favorable, and that's great. It doesn't fill me with anything. I'd rather have fullness or heart and faith for what is spoken above than the emptiness of gain and success.

Feel me?
~ sent from Treo via Mo:Blog Read More