The Next Thing

While it is really difficult to predict technology waves and everyone wants to be the person who bought cassettes not 8-tracks, dodged LaserDiscs, and bought a “pc clone” back when they were still called that. (Those are all old, I don’t even know what today’s equivalents would be.)

You heard it hear first: personalized homepages are the next thing for web users. I know, it’s not really new. But Google is working on theirs (www.google.com/ig) and I just started using it. Today I found Microsoft’s subtly named (and essentially un-promoted) www.start.com. Eerily similar. Looks smart and easy to use. Want a block of information in a different column, just drag it. Want more content that we don’t already have listed as an option for you? (and this is the part that is really the most new) just add it yourself by searching, plugging in a webpage, or even a feed (Google likes RSS & pre-release ATOM spec).

Finally, an easy place to store all the places I visit and read from regularly. Plus it even shows the latest articles, Google will show my search history (including remembering what you did and didn't click on...), and Google builds in my Gmail account (one would hope that start.com will work with Hotmail either already or soon). This is technology I can get behind.

Arrg. Technology is too slow.

I was just reading something on the web that lead me to a book on Amazon which I added to my wishlist. Great. It's really nice when technology work like that (linking things, adding value --> I may end up learning more from a book that I'll buy because it was linked to Amazon who reminded me to buy it [not necessarily from them, though]).

A quick glance at my wishlist (to make sure its content and "personal ratings" ["I want it", "I don't want it", "I'm just putting it on my list because I may someday want it", etc.] are current, Birthday and Christmas are drawing nigh...) shows a CD. Trigger: "didn't I watch a movie recently who's soundtrack I was interested in?"

"What was that movie?"

-blank-

I rented it from Rogers. Now why can't I go to rogersvideo.com and see the last few movies I rented. Maybe they have this if you sign up for their online/delivered rental system, "Rogers Video Direct" (but we haven't done that). Even better, they'd show which have soundtracks out and link directly to a purchasing option (and they'd likely get a cut of any referred sales). Better still, wherever the Rogers purchase occured, Rogers could rig it so that the purchase goes to them and shows up at my local Rogers next time I rent a movie. How much would I like Rogers then?

Instead I have trouble remembering the movie which -just- triggered: I think it's Sahara.

...And just checking... no, though that one is fun too. Now, I remember that the soundtracks had a few tracks by Michael Buble. What was it? Where's my technology when I need it?

-Update-
Well, I found it: "The Wedding Date". Unfortunately the soundtrack isn't available (well it is, but it's only the orchestral score, not the pop songs). For my reference, I'm putting the songs here (so I can buy them on iTunes maybe):
The Corrs - Breathless
Texas - When We Are Together
The Chiffons - One Fine Day
KC and the Sunshine Band - Boogie Shoes
James Brown - I Got The Feeling
Air Supply - All Out Of Love
Maroon 5 - Secret
Michael Buble - Sway
Joss Stone - Super Duper Love
Michael Buble - Home
Michael Buble - Save The Last Dance For Me

Celebrating Jeffrey's Graduation from SFU

I (Maryruth) am very proud of Jeffrey for having completed his gruelling 12 month GDBA program at SFU, so I decided to surprise him with a little jaunt that I hoped would allow him to relax a bit.

I organized a bunch of friends (Ryan and Melissa Mann, Anthony and Jana Olson, Pam Rempel) to meet at the side of a river in Kananaskis so that we could all go white water rafting! (along the Kicking Horse river) Jeffrey was totally surprised.

Although most of us were a little apprehensive at first, we quickly got comfortable and our fears fell away. I will let the pictures speak for themselves...











The resident dog