"It's yet another in a long series of diversions in an attempt to avoid responsibility." - Chris Knight
Archive for December, 2007
Will Ferrell Semi-Pro Movie Trailer
December 5th, 2007 by iDunzo
Will Ferrell is one of my favorite comedians. He has so many characters that he can pull off.
Probably the one that sticks out in my head right away is Will Ferrell as fictional cowbell player Gene Frenkle.
Doing some poking around this morning, I came across this movie trailer for Will Ferrell’s new movie Semi-Pro:
Here is the basic plot line for the movie:
Jackie Moon (Will Ferrell), the owner-coach-player of the American Basketball Association’s Flint Michigan Tropics, rallies his teammates to make their NBA dreams come true.
The movie is scheduled to be released here in the USA on February 29, 2008 and also stars Woody Harrelson. It should be a funny movie. I’m looking forward to seeing it.
Posted in Humor + Movies + Videos | 
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Google Ruins Its Apple iPhone Home Page
December 5th, 2007 by iDunzo
Google redesigned the Google home page presented to Apple iPhone users and now it is totally useless.
Before, it was the general mobile version of the site, which showed my headlines, weather, Gmail and other content all in a quick glance.
Now it is a simple search box and I have to actively choose to view my content. Why did Google make it more difficult to use?
More and more companies are beginning to design versions of their sites that have versions optimized for the iPhone. I never thought Google would take that route, but it has.
So much for the “real Internet” on the iPhone.
The old version of the Google Mobile home page was just right.
It was fully customizable and let users choose from a wealth of news feeds for the latest headlines, movie times, weather reports, stocks and so on.
For those that wanted a brief rundown on what was going on in the world and in your own neighborhood, it fit the bill. Now it doesn’t. At all.
The new version of the Google home page for the iPhone has a large search box smack in the middle of the page and tabs across the top to access different services.
Those tabs are Home, Gmail, Calendar, Reader, and More. Below them are some more selections for signing in and changing search preferences.
The Home screen is just the search box. I could not find any way to customize this page or add in the content that I was used to seeing here.
The Gmail tab obviously brings you into the Web version of your Gmail.
The Calendar tab shows you the upcoming events in your calendar. The Reader tab shows you all your RSS feeds (assuming you have any and actually use Google’s Reader).
The More tab brings you to a basic menu of other Google mobile services, such as Documents, Google-411, Blogger, etc.
It’s under this More tab that you have access to news and unfortunately it is no longer the customized news you had picked out, but just the generic Google news stories of the day.
If you ask me, Google is trying to make its home page more smartphone like. Quick access to calendar and email accounts are buttons or functions you’d see on smartphones.
The reason I am complaining is because it took something that I had come to rely on, and changed it to something that is less useful to me.
Will others love it? I am sure they will. My experience has been altered for the worse.
Posted in Apple + Google + Technology + Wireless | Comments Off on Google Ruins Its Apple iPhone Home Page
Six Tips to Managing Workplace Conflict
December 4th, 2007 by iDunzo
Ever held a differing opinion from your boss? Boasted dissimilar ideas than your co-worker? Been knocked out by a colleague over a disagreement about a project?
OK, so the last one might be a stretch, but it’s happened before… I’ve seen it. Ka-blam!
Like birth, death, taxes, choice and change, conflict is a constant fact of life. It’s also a fact of the workplace, especially when you deal or interact with people.
Make use of the following tips to resolve conflict at work:
1. Choose your battles
How important is the dispute really? Does it truly affect you, and is it a chronic problem? If it’s a one-time incident or mild transgression, let it pass.
2. Expect conflict
Decide that friction will occasionally emerge in the course of human relationships. Don’t fear it – rather, learn to spot the symptoms early and see opportunity in the resolution.
3. Use neutral language
Avoid judgmental remarks or sweeping generalizations, such as, “You always turn your reports in late.” Use calm, neutral language to describe what is bothering you.
For example: “I get very frustrated when I can’t access your reports because it causes us to miss our deadlines.” Be respectful and sincere, never sarcastic.
4. Practice preventive maintenance
Avoid retreating to the safety of withdrawal, avoidance or the simplistic view that your co-worker is a “bad person,”. These are defense mechanisms that prevent the resolution of conflict.
Try focusing on the problem, not the person. Never attack or put the other person on the defensive. Focus on actions and consequences.
5. Listen actively
Never interrupt the other party. Really listen and try to understand what the other person is saying.
Let him (or her) know you understand by restating or reframing his statement or position, so he knows you have indeed heard him.
6. Get leverage on yourself
When dissent between you and a co-worker appears without resolution, it is time to get leverage. Ask to be held accountable.
This brings your performance evaluation into the equation but without taking away your responsibility for resolving the conflict.
This is hard to do, but remarkable change can happen when you are held to task.
Remember to Fight the Good Fight and if you ever have conflict at work, remember these six tips. They could help save your mind, body and soul. If you feel you still need help navigating workplace conflicts, you could consider taking online negotiation courses from Creighton University.
Posted in General + Random Thoughts + Technology | 1 Comment »
Wal-Mart Kills DRM
December 3rd, 2007 by iDunzo
Wal-Mart has ordered record labels to kill off DRM once and for all. The market or at least the one that matters most has spoken.
The mega-retailer is mandating that suppliers provide MP3 versions of everything, according to Billboard. Most have already complied, its article suggests, with Sony BMG the predictable holdout.
Let us forget for a moment that Wal-Mart’s online music store is a joke. When Wal-Mart tells content publishers to jump, they don’t ask how high: they just do it. No-one wants to be taken off that particular shelf.
Posted in Music + Technology + Web | Comments Off on Wal-Mart Kills DRM
Details On Upcoming BlackBerry 9000 Series
December 2nd, 2007 by iDunzo
You can always count on BoyGenius for some juicy details on upcoming devices.
He has once again struck gold with some details on a new 9000 series from RIM that will sport an iPhone-like touchscreen.
Here are some of the technical specifications:
- 480 x 320 screen
- 1GB of built in memory (the 64mb was getting old)
- Intel XScale PXA270 processor at 624MHz
- 3G multiband HSPDA support
- 2 megapixel or maybe even a 3.2 megapixel camera
- GPS & WIFI in the Same device
Personally I hate the idea of a touchscreen and would mourn the loss of my trusty keyboard. I really dislike the two handed requirements of a touchscreen.
I do like the idea of 1GB of built in memory and High Speed Packet Data Access. I’m looking forward to at least giving it a test drive before I totally say no to the new BlackBerry.
Posted in Technology + Toys & Gadgets + Wireless | Comments Off on Details On Upcoming BlackBerry 9000 Series
