If you own a Palm Treo 650/700 and are used to seamless synchronization between your Palm and Office 2003, you’re in for a bit of a surprise once you upgrade to Office 2007 with Outlook 2007. The software that Palm includes with the device doesn’t work with Office 2007. Maybe down the road they will release a free upgrade. But if you can’t wait for Palm, grab PocketMirror from Chapura and you’re back in business. You can download a free 7-day trial here to see what you think. But I’ve been using it now for over a month and it works really well. The options are easy to understand, and it integrates seamlessly with your current Palm Desktop software.

I never get sick of listening to Duane Allman strum his guitar. I wish he were still around to work his magic as his music is so uplifting and interesting. Such a great sound. Little Martha is definitely a masterpiece. Enjoy.

[audio:littlemartha.mp3]

Link to Leo Kottke performing Little Martha

Steve Jobs must be getting a kick out of hearing that Microsoft has agreed to pay Universal a dollar for every Zune it sells in exchange for the privilege of licensing the Universal music catalog. This is a great deal for Universal and exposes Microsoft’s weak negotiation position in their attempt to slow down the iPod juggernaut.

That Microsoft has to pony up a buck per Zune sold even though the person buying the Zune may not load a single song from the Universal catalog must bring back good memories for Microsoft. Remember when Microsoft used license Windows to OEMs like Dell and Gateway for every PC they sold whether or not Windows was installed? That made it difficult for Dell or Gateway to offer alternative operating systems. That’s in the past now but it’s nice to see Microsoft getting a taste of its own medicine from Universal. You can’t escape karma.

Update: Microsoft/Universal agreement screws over artist according to Peter Kirn

And it’s not pretty, folks.

“But what, exactly, is the point of the Zune? It seems like an awful lot of duplication — in a bigger, heavier form with fewer features — just to indulge Microsoft’s “we want some o’ that” envy”

Link to full review from David Pogue

I blame Kim. She kept borrowing my stapler that I “borrowed” from Microsoft about eight years ago. It’s a cheapo plastic stapler that wore out its welcome a long time ago. So I figured if I’m going to get a stapler I should just go all out and get the Ferrari (even the right color) of staplers and get a red Swingline, collector’s edition 747 model.

I looked online and found a place called Redswinglinestapler.com that had them for about $15 so I bought two: one for home and one to make my co-workers envious. They even tossed in two Post-It note packs with the Initech logo and two “flair” buttons that say, “We’re not in Kansas anymore”.

I feel like Milton already.
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Over the past few months we’ve purchased a GE refrigerator and a Whirlpool Duet washer and dryer. Both were substantial investments for us but with our growing family we felt they were worth the money. I didn’t expect to have a problem with any of these new items but the first evening I plugged in the dryer, Kim noticed that it wouldn’t shut when any of the fancy “moisture sensing” modes were selected. I pulled out the manual to look over the warranty details and quickly located the URL where I could schedule an onsite service appointment with a Whirlpool certified repair shop. A few days later a repairman arrived and quickly assessed the problem. He ordered the part and returned a week later to complete the repair.

This past week I noticed our ice maker was continually making a louder than normal humming sound. Again, I pulled out the manual in search of a phone number. Although the manual listed a 24/7 number I decided to use the URL to schedule service online. With both GE and Whirlpool, they asked for my model and serial numbers along with the date of purchase and installation. It took less than 5 minutes at each site to enter this information and schedule an appointment.

I compare these two good experiences with the nightmarish runaround I had trying to get my first DVD player (Panasonic) repaired. I recall waiting on hold for a long time only to be told that I’d have to take my DVD player to a Panasonic repair shop located so far out of the way that I ended up taking time off work to get the thing fixed. I finally gave up and put it up for sale and have definitely soured on the Panasonic brand.

I don’t like when things break. But if the company makes it easy to get the item fixed I’m much more understanding. Providing a toll free 24/7 number to reach a human is a huge start. Being able to schedule service online is even better.

Here are my results. There are many sites out there that will test your internet connection speeds but this is the coolest ones I’ve come across. I’m using Qwest DSL.

I’ve been told that I’m an organized person. I’ve also been told that I can be stressful to be around when things aren’t organized. I get anxious when my desk at home or work starts to get a bit disorganized. Having three kids in the house has sometimes meant that the house isn’t at nice and tidy as when it was just Kim and me. But I’m slowly realizing that sometimes the messes are a result of something artistic or creative the kids have organized or built.

At one time of another I’ve probably mumbled as I folded what seemed like a dozen blankets. I’m sure I’ve questioned why all the pillows had been taken off the couch and strategically placed on the living room floor. Or the times when I find 200 Tinker Toys spread around the house.

So I’ve tried to slow down and enjoy whatever it is the kids are building. If I slow down and listen they usually have a good reason for needing to pull out every puzzle they can find and mixing them together. I’ve learned it takes a lot of blankets to build a “blanket fort” just like it takes a lot of cushions to play “musical cushions”. I had no idea why anyone would need all 200 Tinker Toys until our oldest explained that she needed all of them to build “a very big” fishing pole. I mean, when you’re going fishing to that pond behind the couch, it makes perfect sense that you’d need a long fishing pole. How come I didn’t see that before?

I still get stressed at times. But I’m beginning to see that messes usually reflect the kids minds and bodies are at work. And that’s a good thing. I should probably worry more if the house is always in pristine condition because that’s probably a sign that the kids didn’t use their minds and spent their time watching cartoons. Tonight, as my five year old daughter, presented me with a cool piece of artwork that she created on her own, she asked me, “Dad, are you going hang it up at work?”

Yep, I’m going hang it up. My cubicle needs less organization and more kid created art.

I’ve been thinking of upgrading our TV to an HD model. But we are huge fans of Tivo going back to the Series one boxes. We now have a DirecTivo with dual tuners and can’t imagine moving to one of the abominable Comcast DVRs that try to copy the Tivo yet screw up all the fine details. Maybe next Christmas we’ll look at getting the Tivo Series 3 that can record two HD programs, but it needs to come down in price. Fat chance?

I got a laugh reading John Battelle’s experience with the craptastic Comcast DVR. Some of the comments are hilarious as well. This DVR may go down as one of the worst consumer electronic devices to ever see the light of day.

Without a doubt, it has to be Diet Cherry Coke. There’s just no getting around it. All the flavor of a regular Coke minus the sugar and perfect blend of cherry flavor. It really is a tiny piece of heaven. Don’t try to tell me otherwise.