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On paper, this guy appears to be a Windows guy.  He publishes articles for Windows IT Pro magazine, runs http://winsupersite.com, has a new version os his Windows Vista Secrets book coming out soon, everything about him on paper says Microsoft Windows.  But yet week after week when I hear him speak with Leo Laporte on the Windows Weekly netcast, he sounds more and more anti-Microsoft/Windows and more of an Apple/Mac/iPhone fan than anything else.

I thought I was going to get through episode 64 without hearing anything about Apple or Macs, or any Microsoft bashing…but fear not, 20 minutes into the show they start talking about bad Microsoft slogans, and how Apple’s commercials are so great even though they do nothing but bash Windows PC’s.  Then they go on and on about Apple’s image in the public’s mind compared to Microsoft’s…only to lead up to the fact that Paul admits he just bought a Macbook Pro recently.  Oh sure, he installed Windows on it, but left Leopard on it too…was that Windows install done just to keep the Windows fans somewhat happy?

He even mentioned that he’d leave the Windows platform for Macs if Microsoft did an ad with a Bruce Springsteen/John Cougar Mellencamp singer guy.

Paul doesn’t hide the fact that he has an iPhone user.  What?  Microsoft makes phones with Windows on them…how can you call yourself a Windows guy if you use the competition’s phone and OS?

30 minutes into episode 64, he’s talking about his first Macbook he bought…ugh!  Then makes a comment about the Apple store service being excellent, and ends up buying a brand new Macbook Pro.  He likes to keep his toe in the Mac side of things so he can stay up to date with what you can get on the Mac side that you can’t get on the PC side.  What?

So they continued to talk about Macs 36 minutes into the show, and then segwayed into Paul using iTunes, all his iPod’s and also the fact that he has an AppleTV.  Again, Paul’s a Windows guy, remember?  Not a Mac/Apple guy.  Are you convinced?

39 minutes in, we’re bashing Microsoft inability to get some decent branding on their music stuff, Urge, MSN Music, Plays-for-sure, the Zune store, etc..etc..

I could go on and on.  This is just one episode of Twit where Paul’s coming off sounding more like a Apple/Mac fan.  There’s plenty previous episodes where Apple’s name and products take centerstage on a Windows podcast in a positive light (meaning, it’s talked about how great it is, and then in another breath Microsoft and Windows are talked about how confusing it is, or bad the products are, or the poor decisision making on Microsoft’s part).

I have nothing against Apple.  I don’t use any of their products, but I would if I found a compelling reason to dump Windows/Linux (it just doesn’t make sense for me to spend the $$$ on it right now for something I wouldn’t get ultimately that much different functionality out of with Skype, Firefox, Google Docs, etc..etc..)  But Paul’s surrounded himself with everything-Windows, and makes money off publishing content revolving around Windows.  Just really bugs me and makes me question his loyalty if he comes on a Windows-based podcast and talks more about Apple in a positive light, and then turns around bashing Microsoft and Windows products.

Technorati Tags: Apple, Leo Laporte, Mac, microsoft, paul thurrott, SuperSite for Windows, twit, Windows, Windows IT Pro Magazine, Windows Weekly

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The typical problem with most folks that participate in social networking is that they’re involved in too many of them that are separate and don’t share information with each other.  I have profiles on Facebook, Linkedin, Plurk, Twitter, Friendfeed, and a number of other ones.  The trouble is that if you want to update any of those sites, you have to visit them all individually.

Ping.fm tries to resolve this problem by allowing you to post updates to all of your social networking sites all at once.  All you need to do is create an account on Ping.fm and then add in all the sites you’re a member of (that they support), and you can update from Ping.fm.  They also provide mobile pages to do updates from, API’s, and even an email address you can send email to that will update the status of all your social networking websites.

If you’re heavy into the social networking scene, this is a great tool to use to keep all of your friends on different sites updated with the latest information on what’s going on.  I highly recommend it.

Technorati Tags: facebook, friendfeed, linkedin, Ping.fm, plurk, social networking, twitter

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So, I’m ditching Flickr tonight and trying out Picasa.  I suppose right off the bat what I love is that Picasa is more than just an online photo service.  My wife has been using the offline photo application for a long time now, so I had a good laugh tonight when I asked her to help me with it.

The other factor that made me switch…Friendfeed supports it!  I had thought that only Flickr was on there a while back (maybe it was?) but I checked tonight and it’s out there now, so I added it to my feed.

We’ll see how things go.  It does look like there’s quite a limit on photo storage though… 1 GB?  Seems low, but I really don’t need to upload high quality photos.  In fact, I have a crappy $15 camera that I’m carrying around that will most likely be the source of everything I upload.

I’ll have a magic shortcut button for my feed on the right side of my blog soon as I can find a nice image, but if you’d like to check out my photo feed you can find it here:  http://picasaweb.google.com/pagesix1536 .  Or just follow me on FriendFeed.com to keep updated on when I publish photos.

Technorati Tags: flickr, Google, photos, picasa, yahoo

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Little did I know, the service provider for the airport, Boingo, doesn’t offer it free.  They have 3 or 4 different plans you can pay for depending on the amount of time you want service in whatever airport you happen to be at.  So that shot all my plans to just kill some time while I was waiting, until I started to do some Googling on my Blackberry.

I discovered that there’s a promotional plan for iPhone users which allows them free access for 15 minutes at a time.  The only catch is that you have to watch a small advertisement (which didn’t even work on my laptop anyway).  Well, I don’t have an iPhone, but what I did have is some more information gathered via Googling which you can use to make Internet Explorer pretend to be an iPhone (there’s other articles out there for how to do this on Firefox, which is honestly easier…go find em.)

This is the string you need (make it all one line, it just wraps here in my blog due to the width limitations):

Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/420+ (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Mobile/1A543a Safari/419.3

And here’s where you need to put it in the Windows registry for it to work:

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\5.0\User Agent

Create a “String Value” named Version under that area in the registry and put that iPhone string in as the data.

Now, when you launch IE, it’ll present itself as an iPhone.  You should be able to get on Boingo’s wifi network and watch the mini ad.  One thing I found out though is that if you continue to use that string after you’ve connected, some sites will format as a mobile version.  So what I did was just go back into the registry and rename the “Version” key to something like “Boingo_free_Version” and then restart IE.  Voila, 15 minutes of free internet access at the airport.

After 15 minutes is up, just repeat the process and you can continue.  One thing you could probably do is export that key to a .REG file.  Save it to your desktop.  Then create the other version of the key (the “off” version) and save that to the desktop as well as a .REG file.  Just double-click them to turn on/off the iPhone disguise.

If someone knows of a User Agent plugin for IE (similar to the one that Firefox has), sound off in the comments to this post.

Technorati Tags: airport, boingo, free wifi, Internet Explorer, iphone

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Now, anyone that knows me…(which I’m guessing is everyone reading this because no one seems to read my blog except people I know…heck maybe it’s just me that reads my blog) knows that I’m not a fanboy of any operating system.  I use all of them (with the exception of Mac OSX really, since I only have ever used that in school.)  I have Linux, Vista, and XP all installed on various computers I uses (this one I’m using now is a triple-booter, all three are on here).  I’m not hating on XP…I think XP was a fantastic operating system.  But people that say, “You need to take that brand new computer with 4 GB of RAM and get it upgraded from Vista to XP” are obviously misguided souls that might as well stay using their computers from the 1990’s.

Vista is a rock solid, kick-ass OS.  So was XP, and so is Linux.  I actually use Linux mostly for personal use.  Vista for business, and XP for older hardware (Cloudbook) or some older games.  Vista is a far superior operating system over XP though, hands down.  Everyone argues with me (useless arguments because they can’t back anything up), but these are the same folks that argued Windows 98 was better than XP back in the day.  Are those folks still running Windows 98?  Why aren’t you…I thought it was better?

Here’s the only two places you should be running XP.  A) Older hardware (maybe 2 years or older), or B) an Ultra Mobile PC like the Asus Eee.  If you bought a brand new computer, and you had the choice of XP or Vista and you picked XP… you’re better off sticking with your old computer then.  Return that one to the store and continue using your 1.6 Ghz system with XP on it.  Better yet, give your new system to me and I’ll use it with Vista and you can stick with your old XP system.

Technorati Tags: hater, Linux, Vista, Windows, xp

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Quicken to build on two sites in downtown Detroit

I like the Free Press’s use of the word “tower” when describing the headquarters we’re planning to build.  I’m curious as to where they got the information that led them to believe we’re building a tower.  When I think of a tower, buildings like The Book Tower or the David Broderick Tower, I think of a narrow skinny building 30 stories or higher.

The Hudson’s location is hardly a footprint for creating a tower.  I suppose I could see a tower going up on the Statler location because of it’s smaller area (we’d have to build taller rather than wider).

The other thing that gets me is that every time I see one of these overhead shots of the sites, for whatever reason they only show just the Statler spot.  We really need to take over the site across the street as well for a HUGE footprint.  The Tuller was demolished decades ago, and the United Artists Theater/Building is as far as I know still vacant.  I’m not pro-demolishing, for sure I’d love to save that theater.  But, if it is in the way of Quicken building a massive HQ across both those spots, I say demo it and let’s get a huge honkin headquarters with the People Mover driving right through the middle of it.  Put a station right in the Quicken Loans building!

Technorati Tags: detroit, Hudsons, quicken loans, Statler

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http://tinyurl.com/6gl3vr - VIA reportedly set to roll out 45nm, dual-core processors by 2009

So what, right? Intel and AMD had dual-core stuff like way back in 2006 or whatever.  Why is this such a big deal?  They’re so behind, right?  Don’t count them out yet.  They’re gaining momentum, and are quickly becoming a very viable 3rd alternative to the battle of the CPU’s.

Where this is really going to be interesting is in the ultra mobile market.  With the January 2008 announcement of the Isaiah Processors, which are 64-bit, virtualization-aware, low-power chips…and now the announcement of an intention to have 45-nanometer, dual-core versions of these processors on the market by next year, the fast growing UMPC/Subnotebook market now has a processor that will perform more closely to its larger full-sized counterparts.

Technorati Tags: 45-nanometer, C7, C7-M, dual-core, isaiah, processors, subnotebook, umpc, via

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So, I have a somewhat intimate relationship with some of the old architecture of Detroit’s former days. One of the buildings that I explored (The Statler Hotel, which is now demolished) sat on the same site that Quicken Loans is looking to possibly build their new headquarters on. The other site is the former Hudson’s department store location.

I had a lot of thoughts going through my mind for a few months following the announcement, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that Quicken Loans really needed to do something to pay tribute to some of the businesses/buildings that used to occupy these locations, and paved the way to make Detroit a famous city. Detroit 1.0 was a great city, and I think we need to recognize that as we build new.

I wrote this paper, and submitted it to upper management. It was meant as an appeal to the company to try to do something remarkable with our new buildings that would pay tribute to the Statler Hotel and Hudson’s building. It’s now been probably about 3 months since I submitted this paper, and I haven’t heard a single bit of feedback on it. I’m kind of frustrated with the lack of any response really. So, since this fell on deaf ears and I think it’s a good piece to read, I’m publishing it here on my blog so everyone can have a look. Enjoy!

Quicken Loans – Detroit 2.0 Headquarters

Tribute to Those that Stood Before

Quicken Loans is moving into a new phase of rebirth in the City of Detroit. We are leading the way as the newest technology company to bring life back to an aging city that until now has been stuck in steady decline, wandering around in the aftermath of the industrial and automotive revolution. At the height of its population, Detroit was the 4^th largest city in the US. New buildings were being constructed all over the city. Detroit was growing fast during the 1910-1940’s. Ornate and highly decorative architecture was in great demand, and the city had some of the best architects including: John Donaldson, Louis Kamper, Wirt Rowland, and the very famous Albert Kahn.

As Quicken Loans begins to prepare to migrate from the suburbs to the heart of the city of Detroit, many decisions need to be made; some easy and others more difficult. One of the many decisions to be made is the location that the new headquarters will be built upon. One location is the former site of the historic Detroit Statler Hotel located on Washington Boulevard facing Grand Circus Park. The other location is the former site of the historic J.L. Hudson department store on Woodward Avenue north of Campus Martius. While we have expressed interest in developing both locations, one thing that many people may not pay attention to is what each of these locations has meant to the city of Detroit in the past…during Detroit 1.0.

No matter which location Quicken Loans chooses to build a new headquarters on, there are many Detroiters that have fond memories of the buildings that once resided on both sites. Both locations were homes to architecture that brought great awe to the city and the rest of the world. Whether it was the size, or the ornate details in the architecture, or the amenities that each building offered Detroiters, the city was proud to have these places which people came from all over to experience. They were known by many labels, such as the “first” or the “largest” or the “best” in the world. Labels that no doubt can be used in relation to Quicken Loans, and the goals that we set out to achieve as being the largest and the best in our own industry.

Whatever scale you measure these two buildings against, it’s clear that they were an expression of what Detroit was all about at that time. We wanted the world to recognize us for our achievements. We wanted tourists to come, visit, and enjoy what Detroit had to offer. Detroit wanted to build bigger, better, and more successful businesses to compete with the likes of Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia.

What follows is a brief look at the two architectural pieces of art that formerly stood on the two sites that Quicken Loans has decided to develop on. Whichever site we choose, I truly believe that we should pay some sort of tribute to these former buildings and businesses. Whether it’s something as small as a historical display in our lobby, or something as grand as an architectural design to the exterior of our headquarters that is a “tip of the hat” to the original building on the site…I think we should show Detroit that we haven’t forgotten where we came from. We haven’t forgotten what made Detroit 1.0 a fantastic place to be. We build on that, improve on it, and bring that excitement back to the city in as grand of a fashion.

The J.L. Hudson Department Store

The J.L. Hudson Department Store was the essence of Christmas in Detroit for many years after it was constructed in 1923. For many Detroiters, the “real” Santa was always at Hudson’s. People came from all over just to experience the elaborate displays and shop at one of the largest department stores in the world. Meeting outside Hudson’s at the Kern’s clock was a regular occurrence for Detroiter’s.

Hudson’s was also known to have the largest American Flag ever made, and would display it on the outside of the building facing Woodward Avenue. The flag was donated to the Smithsonian in 1976.

Started by The J.L. Hudson Company, the Thanksgiving Day parade down Woodward Avenue is one of Detroit’s longest-running and most beloved traditions. The Hudson’s Building was an iconic landmark to the city of Detroit.

Currently, the former site of Hudson’s is home to a large underground parking garage that is built in a way that a building could be mounted on top of it. It is situated directly next to the Compuware headquarters north of Campus Martius on Woodward Avenue.

The Detroit Statler Hotel

Brought into existence by the determined vision of famous hotelier E.M. Statler, The Statler Hotel was actually part of a chain of hotels with locations in Buffalo, Cleveland, St. Louis, New York, Boston, Dallas, Los Angeles, and a few other cities. It anchored one side of Washington Boulevard, with the Book-Cadillac Hotel (currently under renovation) on the other end. Originally opened in 1915, it had 800 rooms and was later expanded to 1000 rooms with an addition added to the back of the building. It was the first 1000 room hotel in the Midwest. All rooms in the hotel had an outside view, in a manner of speaking. There was a “light tower” built in the middle of the hotel to allow natural light to hit even the inside rooms. It also contained a large freight elevator capable of lifting 14,000 lbs., typically used to haul automobiles up to the ball rooms for display in auto shows (before Cobo Hall was around of course).

Harry Houdini was known to have stayed in the Statler Hotel in October of 1926 during his last performance at the nearby Garrick Theater (demolished in 1928).

The Statler fell on some hard times during the 1960’s and 1970’s as did many other buildings and businesses in Detroit. Ownership changed hands many times; the hotel underwent many plans for renovation, and was renamed a few times to names like The Statler Hilton and The Detroit Heritage Hotel. With occupancy falling at alarming rates in all hotels in Detroit, the Statler was one of the first to close its doors among others that were closed at the time including: the Tuller Hotel across the street, and the Fort Shelby Hotel. It remained closed for 30 years, forgotten and unknown to the public until it was demolished in 2005.

The site of the former Statler Hotel (and the former Tuller Hotel across the street) is currently an empty lot awaiting redevelopment. It faces Grand Circus Park, Comerica Park, and Ford Field.

Technorati Tags: Campus Martius, detroit, Detroit 2.0, Grand Circus Park, Hudsons, J.L. Hudsons, quicken loans, Statler, Statler Hotel

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FYI, it’s not a web based app, you need to actually download it and install it (similar to Google Earth). Make sure you check out the hardware requirements (especially the Mac ones where Microsoft suggests you have Windows on your Mac. That’s funny stuff!) But how about this…. what’s up with Microsoft using Adobe Flash for the website over their own Silverlight?? Nothing like trying to deliver your products in someone else’s delivery truck.

Technorati Tags: flash, microsoft, silverlight, world wide telescope

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