Comments for inconsequence http://loewald.com/blog tonio loewald's thoughts on usability, programming, games, and other stuff Tue, 07 Sep 2010 18:13:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Comment on App Store Rejections of the Year by inconsequence » Blog Archive » Waiting for Jobso http://loewald.com/blog/?p=2034&cpage=1#comment-4050 inconsequence » Blog Archive » Waiting for Jobso Tue, 07 Sep 2010 18:13:13 +0000 http://loewald.com/blog/?p=2034#comment-4050 [...] commented on the App Store approval process before from the position of a potential future App Store supplicant, but now that theory has become [...] [...] commented on the App Store approval process before from the position of a potential future App Store supplicant, but now that theory has become [...]

]]> Comment on Ooh that Awful App Store by inconsequence » Blog Archive » Waiting for Jobso http://loewald.com/blog/?p=1957&cpage=1#comment-4049 inconsequence » Blog Archive » Waiting for Jobso Fri, 03 Sep 2010 21:52:04 +0000 http://loewald.com/blog/?p=1957#comment-4049 [...] commented on the App Store approval process before from the position of a potential future App Store supplicant, but now that theory has become [...] [...] commented on the App Store approval process before from the position of a potential future App Store supplicant, but now that theory has become [...]

]]> Comment on Is Smartwater Any Good At All? by Smart Marketing, Stupid Water, Silly Me. « Yogiclarebear’s Blog http://loewald.com/blog/?p=240&cpage=1#comment-4048 Smart Marketing, Stupid Water, Silly Me. « Yogiclarebear’s Blog Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:51:30 +0000 http://loewald.com/blog/?p=240#comment-4048 [...] As I waited for a response, I discussed my findings with Nathan, who sent me a great resource via another blogger who asked the same questions.  In his smartwater research, Tonio Loewald also found that evidence for smartwater’s case [...] [...] As I waited for a response, I discussed my findings with Nathan, who sent me a great resource via another blogger who asked the same questions.  In his smartwater research, Tonio Loewald also found that evidence for smartwater’s case [...]

]]> Comment on Twitter vs. Email by Tonio http://loewald.com/blog/?p=2600&cpage=1#comment-4047 Tonio Fri, 06 Aug 2010 20:31:33 +0000 http://loewald.com/blog/?p=2600#comment-4047 Wave is officially dead now instead of just practically dead. I think Buzz makes more sense than Wave or Twitter simply because it integrates with something useful (i.e. email) and it automatically (privacy waivers willing) connects you with friends. In practice, Buzz isn't taking off because Google hasn't gotten mindshare for it. But in practice Twitter (which peaked at over 3200 tweets per second during the World Cup) is even more useless. I think I have more followers than tweets, and they're all random strangers / wannabe guerilla marketers. WTF? Wave is officially dead now instead of just practically dead. I think Buzz makes more sense than Wave or Twitter simply because it integrates with something useful (i.e. email) and it automatically (privacy waivers willing) connects you with friends. In practice, Buzz isn’t taking off because Google hasn’t gotten mindshare for it. But in practice Twitter (which peaked at over 3200 tweets per second during the World Cup) is even more useless. I think I have more followers than tweets, and they’re all random strangers / wannabe guerilla marketers. WTF?

]]> Comment on Kindle Deathwatch by Tonio http://loewald.com/blog/?p=1071&cpage=1#comment-4043 Tonio Wed, 07 Jul 2010 14:55:56 +0000 http://loewald.com/blog/?p=1071#comment-4043 I have just received correspondence from the man himself (Powell, not Littlemore) and his version of events (unsurprisingly) is different. First, note that he got the name of the iPad right, so he was probably violating an NDA or had snuck in to a factory and not talking out his ass, but this was not the point of his message. The key issue he has is with accusations of plagiarism, which he says was perpetrated by another journalist while he was on vacation (ie someone else published plagiarized articles under his byline while he was on leave) and that Littlemore based his entire (very nasty) piece on information provided by one person. I do not have a recording of the show in question, but Littlemore's pieces were built on pieces taken from the public record — he would simply show articles, with portions highlighted, on screen. In this case they showed pieces in the SMH with Powell's byline juxtaposed with earlier articles published under other bylines. It was, apparently cut and dried. I don't know how newspapers work. Powell's version seems plausible — except that as I recall he left the SMH the next day. In essence, however, the thrust is that Powell's articles, with the exception of those posted in his absence, were his own. So, from my point of view, an idiot but not a plagiarist. He was dead on about the name, though. I have just received correspondence from the man himself (Powell, not Littlemore) and his version of events (unsurprisingly) is different. First, note that he got the name of the iPad right, so he was probably violating an NDA or had snuck in to a factory and not talking out his ass, but this was not the point of his message.

The key issue he has is with accusations of plagiarism, which he says was perpetrated by another journalist while he was on vacation (ie someone else published plagiarized articles under his byline while he was on leave) and that Littlemore based his entire (very nasty) piece on information provided by one person.

I do not have a recording of the show in question, but Littlemore’s pieces were built on pieces taken from the public record — he would simply show articles, with portions highlighted, on screen. In this case they showed pieces in the SMH with Powell’s byline juxtaposed with earlier articles published under other bylines. It was, apparently cut and dried.

I don’t know how newspapers work. Powell’s version seems plausible — except that as I recall he left the SMH the next day.

In essence, however, the thrust is that Powell’s articles, with the exception of those posted in his absence, were his own. So, from my point of view, an idiot but not a plagiarist.

He was dead on about the name, though.

]]> Comment on Is Smartwater Any Good At All? by Tonio http://loewald.com/blog/?p=240&cpage=1#comment-3968 Tonio Thu, 24 Jun 2010 21:20:00 +0000 http://loewald.com/blog/?p=240#comment-3968 Smart water is actually rather thoroughly purified and according to their required declarations it's remarkably free of pretty much everything* -- http://glaceau.com/media/smartwater_report.pdf -- so if you're concerned about things like Chlorine and Bromine, it seems like it's a good option. * You may notice that Smart Water does have detectable quantities of Radium in it, but much lower than allowed, and I can only assume that it's no less safe than any other water in this respect -- the unit of measurement is pCi/L (picocuries per litre) which is a very, very small unit. (pico == one billionth). Three Mile Island released approximately 2.5 million Curies of radioactive material. Smart water is actually rather thoroughly purified and according to their required declarations it’s remarkably free of pretty much everything* — http://glaceau.com/media/smartwater_report.pdf — so if you’re concerned about things like Chlorine and Bromine, it seems like it’s a good option.

* You may notice that Smart Water does have detectable quantities of Radium in it, but much lower than allowed, and I can only assume that it’s no less safe than any other water in this respect — the unit of measurement is pCi/L (picocuries per litre) which is a very, very small unit. (pico == one billionth). Three Mile Island released approximately 2.5 million Curies of radioactive material.

]]> Comment on New Mac Mini by Tonio Loewald http://loewald.com/blog/?p=3101&cpage=1#comment-3967 Tonio Loewald Thu, 24 Jun 2010 21:09:31 +0000 http://loewald.com/blog/?p=3101#comment-3967 You're completely right about the price. And Steve Jobs actually said something about the Airport Express not streaming video when he introduced it while being interviewed by Mossberg which made it sound as if that was a planned future feature. You’re completely right about the price. And Steve Jobs actually said something about the Airport Express not streaming video when he introduced it while being interviewed by Mossberg which made it sound as if that was a planned future feature.

]]> Comment on Is Smartwater Any Good At All? by meg http://loewald.com/blog/?p=240&cpage=1#comment-3963 meg Thu, 24 Jun 2010 16:09:35 +0000 http://loewald.com/blog/?p=240#comment-3963 hey Tonio, i'm wondering if Smart Water is free of chlorine and/or fluoride, as the tap water in my area is unbearable due to these. Simply to drink S.W. as a stop-gap measure until I can find a pitcher that effectively filters chlorine/fluoride (which based on a bit of research, seems that Brita does not filter these) hey Tonio, i’m wondering if Smart Water is free of chlorine and/or fluoride, as the tap water in my area is unbearable due to these. Simply to drink S.W. as a stop-gap measure until I can find a pitcher that effectively filters chlorine/fluoride (which based on a bit of research, seems that Brita does not filter these)

]]> Comment on New Mac Mini by Chris http://loewald.com/blog/?p=3101&cpage=1#comment-3940 Chris Mon, 21 Jun 2010 03:00:27 +0000 http://loewald.com/blog/?p=3101#comment-3940 I think the price point is too high for Apple TV's role in the market. To round out their "media hub" plans Apple has to have an inexpensive way of getting iTunes content into home entertainment systems. I expect the next Apple TV to be an Airport Express with a little flash and HDMI. I think the price point is too high for Apple TV’s role in the market.

To round out their “media hub” plans Apple has to have an inexpensive way of getting iTunes content into home entertainment systems.

I expect the next Apple TV to be an Airport Express with a little flash and HDMI.

]]> Comment on New Mac Mini by Tonio http://loewald.com/blog/?p=3101&cpage=1#comment-3918 Tonio Sat, 19 Jun 2010 18:51:52 +0000 http://loewald.com/blog/?p=3101#comment-3918 I'd simply option up the base model's cpu and hard disk, or not even bother. Whats 260MHz between friends? I’d simply option up the base model’s cpu and hard disk, or not even bother. Whats 260MHz between friends?

]]> Comment on Convergence by Tonio http://loewald.com/blog/?p=3099&cpage=1#comment-3917 Tonio Sat, 19 Jun 2010 18:42:56 +0000 http://loewald.com/blog/?p=3099#comment-3917 Yes, the no glasses aspect makes it actually viable. It will be interesting to see if larger, higher def displays of that kind take off. Yes, the no glasses aspect makes it actually viable. It will be interesting to see if larger, higher def displays of that kind take off.

]]> Comment on New Mac Mini by Michael Case http://loewald.com/blog/?p=3101&cpage=1#comment-3915 Michael Case Sat, 19 Jun 2010 08:25:49 +0000 http://loewald.com/blog/?p=3101#comment-3915 I think Apple TV is most likely dead. This is clearly aimed at being a media centre PC, hence the HDMI port. They may keep selling them for a while, but I expect it will drop off the product list at some point. Of course, I could be wrong. I'm seriously looking at the Mini Server, possibly dual purposing it. The only problem is if I wanted to play some games on it, I'd need an optical drive. Good thing there's Steam for Mac, now I guess. I think Apple TV is most likely dead. This is clearly aimed at being a media centre PC, hence the HDMI port. They may keep selling them for a while, but I expect it will drop off the product list at some point.

Of course, I could be wrong.

I’m seriously looking at the Mini Server, possibly dual purposing it. The only problem is if I wanted to play some games on it, I’d need an optical drive. Good thing there’s Steam for Mac, now I guess.

]]> Comment on Convergence by Michael Case http://loewald.com/blog/?p=3099&cpage=1#comment-3914 Michael Case Sat, 19 Jun 2010 08:22:11 +0000 http://loewald.com/blog/?p=3099#comment-3914 Yep, well, as soon as they announce pricing and plans here, I'll be looking to upgrade my 3G, too. Assuming they ever do. The cool thing about the 3DS, as I understand it, is no glasses. Of course, it helps that it's a small single user device, so you can live with the extremely limited viewing angle you get with such things. Yep, well, as soon as they announce pricing and plans here, I’ll be looking to upgrade my 3G, too. Assuming they ever do.

The cool thing about the 3DS, as I understand it, is no glasses. Of course, it helps that it’s a small single user device, so you can live with the extremely limited viewing angle you get with such things.

]]> Comment on iPhone++ and DotMac++ by inconsequence » Blog Archive » Convergence http://loewald.com/blog/?p=243&cpage=1#comment-3913 inconsequence » Blog Archive » Convergence Fri, 18 Jun 2010 18:13:26 +0000 http://loewald.com/blog/?p=243#comment-3913 [...] what I said the iPhone would do for me before I actually bought [...] [...] what I said the iPhone would do for me before I actually bought [...]

]]> Comment on New Mac Mini by Chris http://loewald.com/blog/?p=3101&cpage=1#comment-3910 Chris Fri, 18 Jun 2010 10:55:45 +0000 http://loewald.com/blog/?p=3101#comment-3910 Very tempted. I want to see what the future holds for Apple TV before I commit. Very tempted.

I want to see what the future holds for Apple TV before I commit.

]]> Comment on Is Smartwater Any Good At All? by Marsha http://loewald.com/blog/?p=240&cpage=1#comment-3893 Marsha Tue, 15 Jun 2010 09:37:59 +0000 http://loewald.com/blog/?p=240#comment-3893 I cannot drink tap or filtered water. It makes me sick, nausea, stomach ache and the worst taste in my mouth. I have no problem with Arrowhead water. Tonight I tried Smart Water and am having the same symptoms as tap/filtered. Anyone else have this problem? I cannot drink tap or filtered water. It makes me sick, nausea, stomach ache and the worst taste in my mouth.
I have no problem with Arrowhead water.

Tonight I tried Smart Water and am having the same symptoms as tap/filtered.
Anyone else have this problem?

]]> Comment on Realbasic Alternatives by Tonio http://loewald.com/blog/?p=630&cpage=1#comment-3842 Tonio Mon, 07 Jun 2010 21:17:08 +0000 http://loewald.com/blog/?p=630#comment-3842 Sorry to hear about your RunRev experience. In general, I find it a pretty shoddy product. And the fact that after all these years they don't seem to be able to point to a single halfway decent product developed with their tools speaks volumes -- Apple Design Awards have gone to programs developed in Realbasic. Sorry to hear about your RunRev experience. In general, I find it a pretty shoddy product. And the fact that after all these years they don’t seem to be able to point to a single halfway decent product developed with their tools speaks volumes — Apple Design Awards have gone to programs developed in Realbasic.

]]> Comment on Realbasic Alternatives by David Burleigh http://loewald.com/blog/?p=630&cpage=1#comment-3839 David Burleigh Mon, 07 Jun 2010 08:27:25 +0000 http://loewald.com/blog/?p=630#comment-3839 Runtime Revolution is shit. I bought version 2.9 years ago and when I got it, ALL of the database functions didn't work. I discovered this after they had already released another upgrade, and their reply was to purchase the upgrade. Now, one must ask, how the hell did a bug (or huge group of bugs) get passed through version 2 friggin 9, and not get caught? Further, instead of admitting their screw up, all they wanted was more money for the upgrade. Database connectivity is a fundamental feature and has been available since at least as early as 2.0; so why was it still not working in 2.9. Keven Miller is a loser; the company is worthless and you are far better off spending your money anywhere else than these assholes. Runtime Revolution is shit. I bought version 2.9 years ago and when I got it, ALL of the database functions didn’t work. I discovered this after they had already released another upgrade, and their reply was to purchase the upgrade. Now, one must ask, how the hell did a bug (or huge group of bugs) get passed through version 2 friggin 9, and not get caught? Further, instead of admitting their screw up, all they wanted was more money for the upgrade. Database connectivity is a fundamental feature and has been available since at least as early as 2.0; so why was it still not working in 2.9. Keven Miller is a loser; the company is worthless and you are far better off spending your money anywhere else than these assholes.

]]> Comment on Addictive Games by Tonio http://loewald.com/blog/?p=7&cpage=1#comment-3794 Tonio Tue, 01 Jun 2010 19:41:26 +0000 http://loewald.com/blog/?p=7#comment-3794 Of course, the game that displaced EverQuest was World of Warcraft, which is simply a "rounder wheel" — i.e. EverQuest with a bunch of the more obvious flaws fixed. Of course, the game that displaced EverQuest was World of Warcraft, which is simply a “rounder wheel” — i.e. EverQuest with a bunch of the more obvious flaws fixed.

]]> Comment on Top 10 Least Recognised Game Designs by Laura Anderson http://loewald.com/blog/?p=13&cpage=1#comment-3780 Laura Anderson Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:34:11 +0000 http://loewald.com/blog/?p=13#comment-3780 Great blog 9/10! Bookmarked :) Great blog 9/10! Bookmarked :)

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