Mark’s Blog

I’ve always been meaning to write more, but the fact that I feel I’m not a very graceful writer has been one of the key factors that has kept me from doing so more often. However I feel that if I were to begin to write more often, I would eventually get better. So I am pledging to myself (and whomever is unfortunate enough to be reading this) that I will start to write more — and perhaps at greater length — about whatever I feel like writing about (most likely it be technology and Web related).

To start, I’ll explain my stance on the Microsoft vs. Apple topic.

Personally, I’m not a fan of either Apple or Microsoft. Any piece of technology that limits your options and is proprietary, can go to hell in my opinion. Sure, you’ve got to make money somehow, but I just think it would be really nice to see one day where all technological devices, software and peripherals included would all just be compatible with each other and nothing would be proprietary. I can dream, can’t I?

I choose to use a PC (one I built myself) because it doesn’t limit my options as much and is easier on the wallet. I choose to use Microsoft’s operating systems because I don’t think it’s even possible to install an Apple OS on a PC, plus I have a great deal more control over it, and I like that.

Some brilliant developer created a Google Maps application that let’s you map out your running, biking, swimming, etc. routes! The Gmaps Pedometer lets you map out you route, and will automatically calculate a “from here, to here and back” with just the click of a button. It will calculate how many miles you travel and can even determine the potential number of calories burned for that route.

This application has been around for a while, but I’ve recently learned of it and it’s been very helpful. I’ve mapped out my current running route and my future running route for when I move this September.

There’s also an option to save your routes for later reference. I’ve saved my current route and my potential future route already.

Apparently my feeling was right when I felt that Windows Vista was sort of “rushed out the door.” The latest from Microsoft says that the release date for Windows Vista’s first (and much anticipated) service pack has been delayed and won’t be out until early 2008. This comes to no surprise, considering the amount of data and feedback it is receiving from its numerous users whom employ a variety of different hardware configurations. Kind of puts an exclamation mark on Microsoft’s long standing mentality; We’ll worry about the software, you worry about the hardware.