The New iMac is here

Apple just unveiled the new iMac models at a Paris trade show. The design is quite a bit different than the pole lamp look of the current iMac. The new model, using the powerful G5 processor looks like a tablet PC on a reversed L-shaped bracket. All of the electronics are built into the base of the display. The main unit is only about 2" wide. At prices ranging from $1299 for the base model with a 17" screen to $1899 for a 20" model, the new iMac is on the expensive side for home computers, but then again Macs have always been about 20% more expensive than Windows PCs. The ease of use and built-in software, not to mention the style factor can make up for the difference.

My first impression is that Apple made a big mistake in shipping the computer with only 256 MB of DRAM. If you are selling a computer at a premium price, you really should put enough memory in it to function at a premium level. I have the same opinion regarding the Bluetooth wireless card, which is optional. If you design a product so that a key atribute is reducing the cord clutter to a single power cord, then you should not charge an extra $49 just so users can add a wireless keyboard and mouse.

By the time you get done adding memory and bluetooth, you're looking at paying at least $200 more than the base price.

Apple - iMac G5

Starved for Ken Jennings Jeopardy! news?

Here's an article by a Sports Illustrated writer who actually beat Ken Jennings - in a group Quizbowl competition. If anybody is going to beat Jennings on Jeopartdy!, the most likely candidate will be one of his Quizbowl peers.

FYI - Taping started on August 9 for the season starting September 6.

SI.com - Quintong: How I beat Ken Jennings - Tuesday July 27, 2004 5:24PM

Bush's Brain

Here's a review of the new documentary film, Bush's Brain. The focus of the film is Karl Rove, Bush's political director. Shall we say "Kommissar"?


Entertainment: Reviews Article | Reuters.com

Chrysler's Minivan Summer Games

The New York Times article linked below describes Chrysler's first (annual?) minivan olympics. Contestants could win a minivan and a vacation by participating in events like throwing water balloons through the two sliding doors. Why wasn't I invited to this?

The New York Times > Business > The Minivan Is Getting a Makeover

Dave Matthews Band dumps on Tour Boat

The bus driver for the Dave Matthews Band allegedly dumped the sewage tank onto a metal grid bridge just as a tour boat was passing underneath.

I can relate to those poor unfortuante souls. A band crapped on me too, I bought the CD only to find out it just had the one good song . . .




MTV.com - News -Dave Matthews Band May Face Criminal Charges Over Bus Stink

Hurricane at Walt Disney World

What's it like to be at Walt Disney World when a hurricane hits? Click on the mouseplanet link below to find out out. Hint: You better have your own food.


WDW Update August 23 - 29 2004

Fresh Bushisms - Wisdom in Wisconsin

Apparently GWB had a banner day in terms of creating new "bushisms" on August 18 during a campaign stop in Wisconsin. www.dubyaspeak.com has several from this particular day. Here's my favorite:

"Let me tell you an interesting story, and then I promise to answer some questions. If Laura were here, she'd be giving me the hook. That's the way it is. Anyway, the Oval Office door opens up and in walks seven men from Iraq, all of whom had had their right hands cut off by Saddam Hussein. They had been to Houston, Texas, where a newscaster had -- a quite famous newscaster -- raised money and set up a foundation to help people. ... Anyway, so these guys walk in, you know, and I was emotional, they were emotional. And I said, why you? He said, that Saddam dinar had devalued and -- he was a merchant, a small businessman. I don't know if he was a sub-chapter S corporation or not, but he was a small businessman. And he had sold dinars on a particular day to buy another currency, euros or dollars, so he could buy gold to manufacture his product. And because the Soviet Dinar had devalued, Saddam Hussein plucked this guy out of society to punish him, and six other small merchants, for the devaluation of their currency. He just summarily said, you're it, come here -- and cut his hand off. " [And now the dubyaspeak commentary.]
-- Featured here is inappropriate goofiness in relation to the subject of people losing their limbs under repression in Iraq, culminating in a completely unnecessary reference to sub-chapter S corporations, and just for fun, Dubya invents a new currency: The Soviet Dinar. Hudson, Wisconsin, Aug. 18, 2004


DubyaSpeak.com %3A Fresh Dubya

Dodge Kahuna - In my woody I will take you, everywhere I go . . .


2003 Dodge Kahuna and Avenger concept cars

Listening to George W.

If you're looking for GWB's greatest hits (and misses) in his own words (audio), check out

http://www.dubyaspeak.com

DO NOT type

www.dubyaspeaks.com - This is the URL that I typed in first, and it seemed to be trying to take over my computer.

Here's another one, www.toostupidtobepresident.com

William Hung Update

What did American Idol wannabe William Hung do on his summer vacation from USC-Berkley? He toured Hong Kong and made a movie. Apparently he's also recording a Christmas album.

William Hung