T-Mobile MDA so far so good

Here's my take on the T-Mobile MDA after using it for a few days. First, I got into this device knowing it wasn't the fastest PDA/Phone combo on the market. I knew the CPU was slower then my Dell Axim x51v, and it didn't have as much memory. But what made up for these short comings was the the form factor, slide out keyboard and Bluetooth.

1. WiFi. Nice. Connected right to my Belkin router no problem (once I entered the security key of course.) The speed isn't really a big deal for me, it seemed fast enough, and I could surf to just about any website. The only problem I have is with Windows Mobile 5, Internet Explorer just sucks. I'm so used to FireFox that anything else is a handicap.

2. GPS. This stuff is cool. I stumbled on to this web site where Stephen has done a pretty good job of tracking his T-Mobile MDA use. Two posts I especially liked were this one and this one. The first post was on how to use Windows Mobile Live Search. I played with this for several hours. It was a blast. The other was for a Bluetooth headset which I'll talk about later. Suffice it to say, so far, the GPS stuff has been been great. What I wish though was when I disconnected from the WiFi the system would ask me if I wanted to connect to GPRS or give me a setting to do it automatically.

3. Bluetooth. Worked no problem. I tried a Samsung WEP200 headset but it was way too small. I liked the fact there wasn't a piece that went around my ear, it literally just stuck into your ear hole. But, I just couldn't couldn't get it to stay. So, I took it back and got the H700 from Motorola. I love it. The mic boom folds back and allows for me to put it into my pocket (since I can't stand to walk around with the thing in my ear) and use it when a call comes in. I just flip out the mic and the devices connect, and I'm now on the Bluetooth headset.

4. Memory. Ok, this is probably my biggest problem. I did buy a 1GB MiniSD card, and will likely purchase several more, to install applications on. The amount of memory built in is small, and I still don't understand why the manufactures can't get this right. I mean come on, we can get gigs of memory in much smaller places, we can't figure out how to make these devices have more memory? I think it's a scam actually. So hopefully the MiniSD card will help with the memory problem.

5. Email. The out of the box application wasn't very good. The setup was clunky, and there weren't a lot of configuration options. I primarily got the device for email, and honestly, the Palm Treo 700p I had was much better at email. I did purchase WebIS FlexMail in hopes I would have a little better time with email. I guess I'll have to see how it goes.

6. Slide out keyboard. This is a pretty cool feature, however some options aren't accessible when using the keyboard. I still have to use the stylus to get to some features. But the trade off is having a fuller size keyboard when I am typing email, texting or editing office documents.

That should do it for now. I'll post more as I get time to use other features.

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Taking a break from blogging

Not that this will in any way affect the lives of people on the planet, but after reading this article, I've decided to take a break. I want to rethink my blogging efforts. Decide if it's really for me. What I would want to accomplish with it. So for the time being, I'll be pondering and not writing.

I'll still be producing the podcast though.

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TPN’s Jazz Show a Staff pick of 2006 at Apple

Catching up on some great publicity this podcast has received, Apple picked it as a Staff Favorite. Thanks Apple, and thanks to all the fans who have downloaded the show over the past year.

Check out the podcast at jazz.thepodcastnetwork.com

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But they are my vacation days… right?

This blog post by David Anderson (Agile Management Blog) resonated with me more than any other in a long time. David and I are pretty close in age it seems and I have been having the same thoughts, only he publicly shared them.

Over the past several weeks I have been looking for work, software engineering work to be specific, and I've noticed something really different in what I wanted from a company more than money. And as David pointed out, it was the work environment and benefits.

When I was younger and growing a family, I wasn't too concerned about insurance, vacation, school plays, field trips or dance recitals. I was, for heavens sake, a programmer. The code must be complete, at any cost.

But not I want more. I can handle leaving the code slinging to someone else, I want to use the software business experience I've learned and use it to make a better company for the customer, the employee and the shareholder.

But what I've noticed is that most companies don't believe someone who has grown up creating software has any business sense? What is up with that? If you have been in the computer industry since the early 80's, you've seen most of the break through technology and may have even help create it.

Is there a natural progression from someone who writes code, to someone who sees value in a job that includes innovating? Some call this architecting technology but I disagree. I see an Architect as someone who is more concerned with the creation of technology and it's interaction than with the business of software creation. Maybe that's what a good CTO gives a company. But what if your company can't support a CTO?

Anyway, back to the original post theme, being an older geek in the technology industry. I think we're the only ones who reminisce about our old BBS's, Commodore or Atari computers; writing, selling and installing our own products; watching stupid kids throw away millions of venture capitol on espresso and same day flights across the country to give a sales pitch to an unqualified prospect.

Yes, I'm more worried about my health, my families health, my interests outside the office than I am burning days and days at work. There was a time I would do it in an instance no matter the cost. But I'm not there anymore. I know it doesn't have to be that way. That type of work environment is due to poor project management and unrealistic expectations from executives.

Great post David.

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See Norah Jones video performance

Norah Jones is about to release a new album Not Too Late. There is a great video available on Amazon.com of her song Rosie's Lullaby.  You can also hear a track called Thinking About You.

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