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Buying New Technology: Blackberry Pearl Edition
I’ve long held the opinion that it’s important to think long and hard before upgrading to new technologies. Often a single technology purchase causes a daisy-chain of purchases, as illustrated below: Nintendo Wii > Big, giant, flat TV > Cable > Premium Channels (Total upgrade cost = $250 + $1,000 + $60/mo + $10/mo =…
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The first touch
…I dial the phone… Receptionist: Hi, Dentist’s office. Josh: Hi, I was wondering if it would be possible to make an appointment for next week. R: Sure, let me look at the schedule…yep, it looks like we have some open spots. How will you be paying? J: Um, I have insurance…Allied, I think. R: Is…
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Experiencing the power of Java
So this evening I’m reinstalling Java. Not by choice, but because the annoying little balloon keeps on popping up in the corner of my screen. Then, while it’s installing, the installer has the audacity to say something extremely stupid like: By installing Java, you will be able to experience the power of Java…” NO WAY!…
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Seeing fewer choices
Alternatively titled: On Covering Your Ass Check out that picture on the right. That’s from my credit card’s website. My favorite part is the red link on the bottom that proclaims, “See fewer choices.” You know what that option is? That’s a designer or usability person saying to the team, “Hello team, we have heard…
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Yahoo is sleeeeeping
I hate to be a complainer, but Yahoo Messenger just keeps going to sleep on me. I don’t understand. Google Talk sometimes doesn’t let me connect, but once it does it doesn’t just go and die all the time. I understand that I’m the one with the finicky internet connection, but Yahoo could make this…
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San Diego deals with major fires
Here’s to all my friends in San Diego coping with the fires. I went to NYTimes.com today and found that Bonita, CA (my friend Jason’s hometown) had made the front page. We dealt with fires in San Diego four years ago when I was at UCSD, and let me tell you, it is no fun.…
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Our deepest fear
Time for a quote: Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are…
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Doing Good Enough
One of the greatest things about being in Israel is the abundance of amazing hummos places. These small restaurants sometimes serve foods other than hummos, but many times it’s the main course. The hummos here is different than in the US. It’s smooth & creamy, with actual garbanzo or other beans in tact. Of course,…
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Israir Flight 102, Ten minutes after takeoff
“Ding!” And immediately the belts were undone. Ten of them, at least, simultaneously unlatched. One man shoots up, his tsitsit swaying, as he opens up the bin above his head to pull out his suitcase. A woman next to me opens her overhead bin, and down fall blankets on to Eyttan’s head and lap. It’s…
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Where is Josh these days?
Great question, weblog. Well, for the past few weeks I’ve been in Chicago, toiling away on the ThoughtWorks beach. Man, I never feel so busy as when I’m on the beach (the time you get when you’re not on a project). There are always a ton of projects to work on…people constantly asking for some…