Week Note 40

Tech as a Utility

I’ve had a few discussions with people who want technology to be “like utilities”. That is, they just want the technology to work. I understand this. I wish it were like this too. Essentially, they want technology to be like the water spigot or the light switch. Flip it on, it works. However, at this point, technology is not there. For starters, we may want different things from technology than other users.

For example, hit that switch and the projector turns on and shows the video that you want. Um, where is that video? Are you wired directly to the projector? Do you want this to work wirelessly?

I probably should have some better examples. But the point really is that we may not all want the same thing to happen when we flip that switch. Thus, we’re going to have to learn to make the technology do what we want.

Talk Like A Pirate Day

So this last week was “Talk Like a Pirate Day”. Sadly, not one of my known peeps was participating.

Heated Seats

Well, this week was the first time this fall that I was thrilled to have heated seats. This is one of those little pleasures that I really enjoy.

Brendan James

We went to see Brendan James at the City Winery in Boston. What a wonderful show. I can’t tell you how much I enjoy seeing singer/songwriters perform their work in a small, intimate venue. Like Ari Hest, Brendan James is a thoughtful, singer/songwriter who can make you think and touch your soul. He played great songs and shared a bunch of wonderful stories.

Brendan James also has new album out (Leap Taken). We bought it, directly from him on the honor system. Grab the CD, scan the Venmo code and send him money.

Rm even got to request a song that he played.

Local Comedy

I also got to go to a local comedy show with a friend. It was an interesting evening. One could definitely tell that different comedians were at different points in their development. Timing and pacing are so very important in comedy.

There was a bit too much focus on crass jokes for me. I’m not really a prude, but I also think that you don’t have to fall only to sexual points to be funny.

However, the company was great. It was nice to get out to see a local show.

Darktable

I’m watching some videos trying to learn how to use Darktable. These are very interesting. I’m hoping to at least get good enough to develop some passable photographs.