Technology

AT&T Drops the Ball on Dropped Calls

October 19, 2008

I love the iPhone. The design, the features, the functionality—it's as close to a perfect little device as you can get. Unfortunately I can't summon up the same level of enthusiasm for AT&T. Although AT&T agrees that, yes indeed-y, I'm in their coverage area, 50% of my calls consistently have been dropped since the day I brought my shiny new baby home. Some days I'd be better off sending homing pigeons or signaling from the roof with a lantern like Paul Revere.

They Arrived!

January 3, 2008

Kids with their new XO laptops

They didn't make it here in time for the holidays, but my little people didn't seem to care. Our XOs from One Laptop Per Child arrived today and were instant hits. The kids played for hours, checking out all the cool features—chat, Internet, writing, music, drawing, and the still/video camera. Mom was more impressed than she'd anticipated.

One Laptop Per Child

November 25, 2007

OX laptop One Laptop Per Child's "Give One Get One" program has been extended to December 31st. OLPC's goal is to supply laptops for children in developing countries who might not otherwise have access to an education. In pursuit of this goal, OPLC has developed the XO laptop, a child-geared machine designed to be "durable, brilliantly functional, energy-efficient, responsive, and fun."

My Almost Perfect New iPhone

September 8, 2007

iPhone I have the patience of a gnat. I promised myself I'd wait 6 months before buying an iPhone. It was hard, though. So, around my birthday, I starting hinting broadly and got my husband to buy one for me instead.

I love my new iPhone. The design is brilliant. It's a pleasure to look at, a pleasure to hold, and a pleasure to use. If it weren't for one thing, it would be as close to perfect as you can come. But that one thing is a big one thing. Believe it or not, the iPhone cannot be tethered to a laptop and used as a modem.

Apple's iPhone

January 11, 2007

iPhone

Three words: I want one.

Okay, I lied. Here are a few more words...

Letters from Macrebel Camp: Part II

November 4, 2006

October 17

My elation over being able to sneak away from Macrebel camp has started to wear off. Funny, but I never really noticed before how dingy and out-dated Windows looks. Everything seems so flat and gray...and in desperate need of a serious makeover. Today I actually found myself missing the dock with its bright little icons.

Letters from Macrebel Camp: Part I

October 27, 2006

September 29th

It's been a rough and exhausting week Ever since reaching Macrebel camp, I've felt like the world has turned upside down. Everyone here is very friendly and helpful, and the landscape is so bright and shiny and...clean. Yet it's not home. I miss my old comfortable habits and familiar ways of doing things. I never appreciated how many tasks I did automatically, without ever having to think about them. How quickly I could perform. Now I have to pause before attempting the smallest function. I still haven't located the backward delete button.

Thank god I found the bathrooms...

Going Over to the MacDark Side

September 6, 2006

They were troubled times--times of strife and turmoil, man against man, browser against browser. Into this chaos of lawlessness, brutality and disregard for web standards, stepped a new contender.

Computer Woes: or So This Is What I Get for Being Kind to Electronics

July 27, 2005

I am in a pissy mood today. Everything that could go wrong lately has. Two days ago--and with the finest intentions, I'll add--I decided to give my computer a quick little tune up.