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Google Wave: What is that?
Google Wave is a fast, easy way to communicate with people in real-time. Real-time is a word that gets thrown around these days, but what does it actually mean? It means that if you are writing a message to some one or a group of people using Google Wave, they can see what you are writing as you are writing it! Pretty cool, huh? Just be careful what you write.
Google Wave works kind of like an email. You select who you want to 'wave' with and then you start typing. As you are making a wave, there are many new things you can do such as add a poll, add a map to where you're talking about, and even embed a game that your wave party can play. This brings to light a whole new way of communicating with people. Say you are planning a party, for example. There's so many decisions to be made, like would your guests rather have black or white napkins? Well now, you can simply put up a poll and let the people decide. How democratic of you. Also, for all those people who ask "where's your house again?," now you can give them a map to where they need to go. Bam, no more annoying directionally-challenged guests.
Google has also opened up Wave apps to third parties. This means any developer can make an application for Google Wave! Now, you too can join the app revolution. If any developer is free to make apps, there's no telling how far this technology is going to advance. For example, soon you will be able to conference call through Google Wave using an app called Ribbit. The only thing that is holding Google Wave back is people can only use it on an invitation basis at the moment. For Google Wave to reach it's full potential, all of your friends, family, co-workers, etc. need to have it and be logged-in often. To communicate in real-time the people you are trying to communicate with have to be using Google Wave when you are communicating with them. Right now, there are not many people who know about Google Wave - much less have an account they use regularly. Once it starts to catch on, this technology has the potential to completely change the way we communicate with each other.
How Much Does It Cost to Go to the Moon?
Space Tourism has long since been an idea dreamed up by science fiction authors, but in 2001 fiction became reality when multimillionaire Dennis Tito became the first Space Tourist by traveling to the International Space Station (ISS) for a week. Tito was flown to the ISS by an American Agency called Space Adventures on a Russian space craft called the Soyuz. Since Tito, there have been six other people who have paid to travel to the ISS and back. All seven space tourists have flown on the Soyuz and paid $20-35 million. As of 2009, the Russian Space Agency is the only program offering paid flights to space.
In August 2005, Chris Isidore of CNN wrote an article stating that Space Adventures would be offering flights to orbit (not land on) the moon for $100 million. At the time, Space Adventures had identified nearly 1,000 billionaires who were willing to pay the price, but, as of today, no such flights have be executed.
In November 2009, Gene J. Koprowski wrote an article for FOX News stating there are various private sector firms, including a well known company: Virgin Galactic (of Virgin Group Ltd.), who are setting up technologies to offer space tourism at more affordable rates. These flights will take the passengers into orbit to the point of weightlessness for a limited time before returning to earth. At the beginning, the flights are rumored to cost $200,000 with the expectation of price reductions as the flights become more popular and more evolved.
As of today, no one has traveled to the moon as a tourist and there are no future plans - that we know of - to offer such services. For now, a trip to the moon remains science fiction.
Window 7: WIN or FAIL?
Windows 7 was released about a month ago on October 22, 2009 and within the first three weeks it gained a 4% market share (it took Windows Vista seven months to attain the same goal). Pre-orders on Amazon.com were record highs, surpassing the previous pre-order record holder, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. So, demand alone for Windows 7 was much more impressive than the previous Windows Vista.
Windows 7 is available in 3 versions: Home Premium ($119.99), Professional ($199.99), and Ultimate ($219.99). You can see a comparison of features here. Of course, the Ultimate version comes fully equipped, but most people only need the features available in Home Premium. If you're a student, there's is a major discount available to upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium for only $30. The offer expires January 3, 2010, and you can find it here.
The purpose of the upgrade was to excel where Vista failed. Visually, there is not much of a difference, as both use Windows Aero for graphics. For example, the start menu, for the most part, is the same. One feature I really like is the multi-tasking. You can attach icons to the task bar at the bottom of your screen and when an application is in use the icon will be highlighted with a box around it. If multiple windows of the application are open (i.e. multiple browser windows) you can scroll over the icon and a preview of all the windows will be shown. From this preview you can easily view and selected which one you want to use. This feature is very useful when you have many applications up and running and need to find the one you want. There's also a handy search feature in the start menu that will search your whole computer for any file or application. If you can't find what you're looking for, this feature is very handy. And, finally, supposedly,Windows Media player has some additional, cutting-edge features that would appeal manyto PC users...The ability to stream songs played on Windows Media Player onto other devices that are Bluetooth compatible. There are many new features including Themes, Gadgets, and other various customizations. For a full list of features go here.
As for performance, I have found my computer running a little slower. Provided that I do have a three year old computer, but I have had many instances of waiting too long for applications to open and for the computer to log-in as compared to when I was running Windows XP. I would say the times I have had to wait, I was running multiple applications. If you have a computer with more than 1GB of RAM, I expect the wait time would significantly decrease.
I downloaded the 32-bit version, because I was unsure my 1GB of RAM and 80GB of memory could run the 64-bit version. The 32-bit could contribute to the slow reaction times. For those wondering, the RAM (Random Access Memory) is the part of your computer that handles all the information you're processing at the moment. 32 and 64-bit refers to the way your computer and operating system can process different amounts of information. The 64-bit is able to use more RAM effectively - meaning your computer can handle more information and more applications at one time. If you computer can handle the improvement (4GB of RAM is recommended), I would definitely recommend upgrading to the 64-bit.
Overall, I think Windows 7 is an improvement over Vista. It runs very efficiently and is fairly intuitive and easy to use. I upgraded from XP and was not familiar with Vista, but I found everything easy to find and easy to figure out. I would definitely recommend upgrading to Windows 7 if you're still using XP, or, if you're tired of the failures of Vista. I would especially consider upgrading if you're a student. You can't beat the latest operating system for $30.
Windows 7: WIN.
R.I.P. UGA VII
Today, unfortunately, the symbol of the Bulldog Nation, UGA VII, passed away.
He will probably be most remembered for his tenure during the successful careers of Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno. Even though he did not last long, he'll always maintain a place in Georgia Football History.
(Blawg Moment of Silence).
Go Dawgs!
5 Comedies Worth Watching this Season
Now that's it's a couple weeks into the season, here's a list of 5 shows worth your time. And they're all on Hulu (except for How I Met Your Mother)
Modern Family (ABC Wednesdays 9/8c)
What's it about?
Modern Family is about a dysfunctional family with many conflicts and how they overcome their differences.
Modern Family is about a dysfunctional family with many conflicts and how they overcome their differences.
Who's in it?
Ed O'Neill, Sofia Vergara, Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Eric Stonestreet
After reading the description the show sounds much like Arrested Development (my favorite all-time show - RIP). But this show is different in that there are three different sub families who make up the one big family. The show focuses on the conflicts within the subgroups as well as the the past and present conflicts of the overarching family.
Why do I like it?
I love this show because it is able to mix situatioanl and conversatioanl humor effectively. Most shows tend to focus on one or the other. It's written and directed by the guys who did Fraiser. I've never watched that show, so I can't say whether it's similar or not. I love all the characters in this show. They are all over the top stereotypical family members (i.e. the 'cool' dad goes above and beyond to try to be friends with his kids).
Community (NBC Thursday 8/7c)
What's it about?
Community focuses on the main character - Jeff Winger (Joel McHale) -who is an ex-lawyer stuck in community college because his law degree has been banned by the State Bar Association. The supporting characters are his friends and members of his study group for Spanish class.
Who's in it?
Joel McHale, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Alison Brie, Donald Glover, Ken Jeong, and Chevy Chase.
How's it different?
This show is filled with situational comedy and the occasional dialog humor. The show has a slight Seinfeld feel meaning all the sub-plots intertwine and come together. The school setting keeps things interesting provides for new jokes. Also, Chevy Chase plays a very different character than I'm used to seeing him play. Ken Jeong (as seen in The Hangover, Knocked Up, and Role Models) plays a crazy Spanish teacher. He is absolutely hilarious in all of his roles.
This show is filled with situational comedy and the occasional dialog humor. The show has a slight Seinfeld feel meaning all the sub-plots intertwine and come together. The school setting keeps things interesting provides for new jokes. Also, Chevy Chase plays a very different character than I'm used to seeing him play. Ken Jeong (as seen in The Hangover, Knocked Up, and Role Models) plays a crazy Spanish teacher. He is absolutely hilarious in all of his roles.
Why do I like it?
The reason I like this show is because it brings new, creative humor to television and manages to stay clean for the most part. For this show to truly be humorous, it is important for the viewer to be familiar with the characters. Character development makes this show increasingly more funny as you learn the background of each person and see them interact with each other.
30 Rock (NBC Thursday 9:30/8:30c)
30 Rock (NBC Thursday 9:30/8:30c)
What's it about?
30 Rock was created by Tina Fey, and is about the writers, actors, and producers of a sketch comedy series on NBC. Hence the name 30 Rock after 30 Rockafella Plaza in New York (the address of the NBC studios). Supposedly 30 Rock is loosely based on Tina Fey's experiences at SNL.
Who's in it?
Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Jack McBrayer, Scott Adsit, Jane Krakowski, and Alec Baldwin. With a cast like this you can't go wrong.
Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Jack McBrayer, Scott Adsit, Jane Krakowski, and Alec Baldwin. With a cast like this you can't go wrong.
How's it different?
30 Rock is so fast-paced with its jokes. The writing is pure genius, and the dialog often moves from joke to joke with little time to pause and laugh. That's what makes it so good. Also, there are always many different situations the characters are thrown in that keep the show moving. This is the most new and refreshing show on television at the moment (even though it's in the 4th season).
Why do I like it?
I love this show because the jokes are so smart and there are so many of them. You really have to pay attention to get the jokes. There's no laugh track or pause before the punchline telling you when to laugh. I also love Alec Baldwin's character - Jack Donaghy. Baldwin is the perfect crazy, out-going boss. He always has something up his sleeve to add to the funny.
How I Met Your Mother (CBS Monday 8/7c)
What's it about?
How I Met Your Mother is about five 30-somethings who are making their way through life post-college. The focus of the show is on Teb Mosby (Josh Radnor) who is re-telling a story to his kids of how how he met their mother.
Who's in it?
Josh Radnor, Jason Segel, Cobie Smulders, Neil Patrick Harris, Alyson Hannigan, and Bob Saget.
How's it different?
How I Met Your Mother goes back to the traditional sitcom format (laugh-track included). Many people thought the show would fail because it was going back to the roots of comedy shows, but the show has really taken off and is well into its fifth season now. It was created by Carter Bay and Craig Thomas who used to write for the Letterman Show. So it has that creative aspect to the comedy. The show also stars many actors whose careers have really taken off yet they have stayed with the show. You can really tell they love making the show and you can often catch them laughing when they aren't speaking.
Why do I like it?
I love How I Met Your Mother because it's so creatively funny. They really do a great job of making the main character easy to relate to. The other characters are so 'out-there' (especially Barney) that you can't help but relate to Ted and how he reacts to them.
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FX Thursday 10pm)
What's it about?
It's Always Sunny.. is about a group of self-centered, egotistical friends and a father who own their own bar in Philadelphia. They always have crazy ideas and try to carry through with all of them.
Who's in it?
Charlie Day, Kaitlin Olson, Glenn Howerton, Rob McElhenney, and Danny DeVito
How's it different?
This show is different in the fact that it's so obscure and off-color at times. Disclaimer: if you're offended by crude and taboo humor this probably isn't the show for you. It has a Seinfeld feel as well in that they're always going on adventures, but end up in the same place at the end. This show is also different because it was created, directed, and acted by the actors themselves. Rob McElhenney is credited for creating the show and Charlie, Glenn and Rob all write for the show. The pilot episode was originally shot on a digital camcorder on a $85 budget. The plot and dialog was so creative and new that FX ordered the first season after watching the pilot.
Why do I like it?
I like It's Always Sunny.. because the comedy is so new and different. They poke fun at some very taboo subjects which keeps things very interesting. I also love the fact that the actors write and direct the show. I can respect that.
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