Before Firefox 2.0 came along, I’d fire up Word and type my entry. I’d then spell check my post before cutting and pasting it into WordPress. But with Firefox 2.0 I no longer need to use Word to handle spell checking duties as the newest Firefox version has that feature built inline. Fantastic! I’ve been running the last couple of RC builds and have found it to be substantially quicker than version 1.5.

If you’re not already running Firefox 2.0 you can read about the latest features here as well as download the program.

It was a little over six years ago that Kim and I decided we’d like a dog. We spent hours at Barnes and Noble reading through books describing various breeds. We talked to dog owners at the park. Eventually we narrowed down our choices to two breeds: Beagle or Boxer. Kim had a Beagle growing up and we’d read and heard they make great family dogs. But we were concerned that our yard wasn’t large enough to handle the exercise needs of the breed. We also liked the idea of having a bigger dog around the house and one that would be good with our children we’d have down the road. So we located a breeder a few hours outside of Seattle and brought home an exuberant female brindle boxer pup and named her Elka.

Elka has been part of our family for over six years now. Each of our three children learned to walk by using Elka like a handrail for balance. She is so patient with any child she meets. She’s fantastic with other dogs as well. The only downside I can think that comes with owning a brindle boxer is that some people see her and assume she’s a pit bull. We didn’t have her ears cropped, and although I think her face doesn’t have an ounce of menace, I understand not everyone is comfortable around a large breed of dog like the boxer. Her muscular body and square face do look tough at times, but she’s really a big softy who loves to be around people, especially kids.

We’ve been told that boxers don’t live as long as many other breeds. It’s hard to imagine that we’ve probably reached the half-way point in her life given her age. But we will continue to enjoy her as long as we have her. Our kids absolutely adore her. Kim has mentioned that she feels safe having Elka in the home when I’m a business trip. She’s brought a big heart and a fun spirit into our home. To anyone contemplating getting a dog, especially a boxer, I’d say they are a lot of work. They can also cost a lot of money to care for properly, although Elka has lead a remarkably healthy life. But with that in mind, Elka has been worth every cent and every ounce of time and energy we’ve put into raising her. Kim would say she’s been pampered and she’s probably right.

This picture of Elka was taken by my brother-in-law who is an amazing photographer.

BitComet used to be my torrent client of choice until I installed Vista RC1. For whatever reason, BitComet refused to launch. So I decided to give uTorrent a spin. I’ve been reading its great reviews for months. On first launch it looked so basic, but after a while, I realize that’s one of it’s strengths. It’s very simple to use. It’s stable. It just works and doesn’t get in the way.

I still don’t know why BitComet would not work on Vista. Nero is the only other application that won’t run on Vista. Everything else has been great, even Photoshop which I’d been told wouldn’t run. But CS2 runs just fine.

I listen to about 12-15 podcasts each week. I used to listen to maybe half a dozen video podcasts each week but that number has dwindled to one: Ask a Ninja. This leads me to believe that maybe companies like Podtech and Podshow are overrated, at least for my listening and viewing habits.

Here’s how it usually works. If I’m at my computer and have time to burn, I’m far more likely to watch a video than an audio podcast. Yet most of the video I watch comes from YouTube which isn’t a podcast but it’s competing for that same time slot as a video podcast. I’m more likely to have fired up Q-Player and loaded a playlist full of mp3s than either of those options. When I’m on the bus or train (about 3 hours/day) I’m much more likely to listen to audio podcasts. Watching video on my video iPod is just too big a pain. The screen is too small and requires too much dexterity that early in the morning. With an audio podcast I can just hit play and listen. No balancing the screen in my hand while avoiding the next drunk guy on the bus. That’s why I spend far more time listening to IT Conversations than watching the Scobleshow and that’s not likely to change even with the release of the Zune or if Apple releases an iPod with mondo screen. It’s the same reason I listen to TWIT each week but couldn’t care less about Diggnation or DL.TV as much as I enjoy Kevin and Patrick.

I read Scobleizer blog a few times each week. But his Scobleshow video podcast is of little interest to me. If he were to provide an audio only version of his interviews I’d probably subscribe. But his video version has too much competition for my time when I’m at my computer. Scoble has mentioned several times how much more compelling it is to see a video demo of a product vs. going to a website or listening to just the audio. He might be right but maybe I don’t want a demo. I’d still like to hear CEOs talk about the product/service. If I’m interested I’ll go to the website, download the product and try it out myself. Having worked in the demo creation business for nearly 10 years now, I know that many demos are as they seem. Many are running on smoke and mirrors.

Comes down to this: If I’m using my iPod I want audio. If I’m at my computer I want a mix of audio and video. Maybe when I can get Scobleshow, Diggnation or DL.TV on my TV, I’ll watch it. But then it’s up against a whole new host of programming it’s not likely to push aside. Good luck to Podtech and Podshow, but for my viewing habits, your not on the short list.

Don’t have a TV tuner on your PC but still want to watch TV on your computer? Try this incredible program called TVUPlayer that works on bit torrent technology. I’m amazed at how well this works.

I went to Macy’s looking for a lightweight jacket this evening. I tried on a black one and then went back to the rack to see what other colors they had. As I was looking through the rack the salesman asked, “Are you looking for a larger size?”

He’d seen me try on the first jacket and must have thought it looked too small on me. The jacket was over-sized and even a bit large on the shoulders and long in the arms. I was caught off guard by his comment but not offended. But I can imagine some people would be offended by that comment. But it didn’t make me want to buy the jacket from him and I didn’t.

Here’s a nice list of tools for those who want more out of YouTube.

“I remember clearly after fumbling around life for a few weeks that I dragged myself into the bathroom to get ready for work. I was tired because I was up until close to 2 AM raiding. Every week I read though email or I would run into one of my “real” friends and I’d hear “Andy, what’s up, I haven’t seen you in a while.” I looked in the mirror and in a cinemaesque turn of events and a biblical moment of clarity, told myself “I haven’t seen me in a while either.”

Having played Dark Age of Camelot for two years, I can relate to some of this guy’s account of his WoW addiction. I got to the point where I didn’t feel good about myself after I’d play DAoC for hours on end. Just like the author, I think I too gained 30 lbs over the time I played the game. The best feeling came the day I logged into the game, gave aways all my gold and deleted my character from the server. I’ve almost got pulled into WoW a number of times, even bought the game twice, but I just won’t do it. These type of games leave me feeling depressed and they never amount to anything substantial. I need to spend less time at my computer, not more and installing a MMORPG isn’t a solution to spending less time.

I love this older footage of the Who performing Substitute. They have such energy and Keith Moon on the drums….he looks so proper but he’s just awesome. Pure talent.

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Arrogant Sony and their overpriced PS3 are about to get schooled by Nintendo, according to this article. I can only hope they are correct. How arrogant and pompous does a company have to be to say, “The next generation doesn’t start until we say it does”? Here’s hoping the PS3 is DOA. Nintendo, on the other hand, is on a roll, and I can only imagine the Wii will continue the momentum.