Abstract: Why Macs Rule and What does this Have to Do with M&S Innovation?

SIW Thought Papers

Abstract:   At one point – not too long ago – the pioneers were those of us in the M&S community.   We were leading the way.   The simple idea of connecting computer simulation applications – including live systems -- in a meaningful way for the purposes of creating virtual environments for training and equipping personnel and testing new equipment was novel and game breaking.  And we were the ones that did it!  Well, a lot has happened in 20 years, and the thought hit me hard a few years back that we have been leap-frogged!  We are no longer in the front leading the way.

On my desk sits a one year old MacBook Pro – the same one I’m typing into – and it occurs to me that what Apple has done to make a difference – to make a comeback – was to focus on three things:  

(1) Compatibility of Software and Hardware (i.e, ensuring interoperability)  

(2) Quality Products and Service

(3) Progress in Innovation

You know, there’s a lot to learn from a company that was nearly sunk ten years ago.   And, you know, like Apple, those of us in the M&S community are a resourceful, creative, highly capable group.   Perhaps our best days are still ahead of us!   This paper offers an updated vision of where the opportunities may lie and provides a few practical steps to help us get there.  Vision topics also include discussion on Mobile Interoperability Apps, Cloud-based M&S, Tablet-driven computing and much more.

Paper:  coming soon

Discussion Questions:  coming soon

Abstract: Playing Tag with M&S Assets:

SIW Thought Paper

Subtitle:  Why discovery metadata matters and how to make it work?

Abstract:  The importance of creating and using metacards that describe M&S related assets is vital for the success of any project.  If we’re not tagging M&S assets early and often, then we are missing out in discovering an incredible amount of information.  This paper examines what should happen with each and every M&S asset, and offers practical steps for tagging these M&S assets with MSC-DMS based metadata.  We also examine some of the tools that are available including the Metacard Builder and EMBR Portal.

Paper:  coming soon

Discussion Questions:  coming soon

Abstract: The Art of Throwing Sticky BOMs:

SIW Thought Paper

Subtitle:   Why conceptual modeling matters and how to make it work ?

Abstract:   Is Conceptual Modeling a lost art?   Why haven’t we done better in make things understandable and reusable for the purposes of M&S?   Can we do a better job of using M&S as an early stage tool for supporting system and software engineering?   This paper examines each of these questions revealing how conceptual modeling can be used as a significant and profound activity for most development processes.   We explore the recent advancements proposed for the SISO BOM standard, detailing how it can be used to create conceptual models that stick to models, simulation and software components, and related M&S assets (including scenarios and databases) yielding the following key benefits:

(1) greater understanding / comprehension of M&S assets,

(2) greater opportunity for future reuse of M&S assets,

(3) easier maintainability of M&S assets, and finally

(4) smoother transition and greater success pertaining to other steps in the process such as unit testing, analysis, and production of documentation.

 Paper:  coming soon


Discussion Questions:  coming soon

Abstract: Comply, Adapt or Get the HLA Out of the Way

SIW Thought Paper

Abstract:  It would difficult -- in fact impossible -- to count the number of man-years that has been spent on building enabling technology such as HLA or TENA or DIS.   However, to be honest, isn't it even more difficult to hear at the end of the day that a technology is insufficient -- not good enough?   That it missed the mark?    Isn't technology supposed to be an enabler not a barrier?  If progress has been made,  then at what point can we say we are better off?   

This paper explores these questions and examines some of the hard stops that we have faced with our current set of interoperability standards and technologies. We learn that the hard stops aren''t always due to technical hurdles.  There are also other factors: politics, people, paralyzing processes, proprietary lock-in, budget constraints (i.e., price), and more. 

This paper cuts through all of that -- and gets down to the heart of defining why, when and how we should begin to apply technology for the right reasons.  And while we specifically touch on issues related to LVC interoperability – we explore some practical approaches that we can take to overcome some of our interoperability obstacles.  Principles for leveraging what we have in a way that we can individually and corporately move forward and build proper momentum. 

Paper:  coming soon


Discussion Questions:  coming soon

Thought Papers for Fall SIW - Invitation to Participate

My approach for Fall Simulation Interoperability Workshop (SIW) topics is different and unique from what I’ve done in the past -- this year I'm inviting my SISO colleagues in on it. Here are the goals:  

Goal #1 - Write about something that really interests me and others -- not just something that I think I know a lot about – and definitely not something that’s been over done.

Goal #2 - Make the title stand out.   No more boring topics.  Make it something people will want to hear about and something they will remember afterwards. 

Goal #3 – Develop the paper initially as a thought piece.   Write it in the form of story reflecting experience, insights and just as important vision.  Kind-a like a blog.  This minimizes the writing time.

Goal #4 - Let others help influence and shape the content.  Use the power of the web/internet to gather additional insight and feedback from others on these topics.  I realize I'm not the only one with an original thought -- so I've invited others to help influence and fill-in the content using a simple Q/A approach.

So here are the topics and titles that I have submitted -- there are four:

•  “Comply, Adapt or Get the HLA Out of the Way”   -- this is a topic idea I’ve had for at least 10 years about making the most of the technology we have now – controversial title? – maybe? – but it’s really about utilizing process, leveraging design patterns and having an engineering mindset to make things work  - the title is intended to rise a few eyebrows.
• “The Art of Throwing Sticky BOMs: Why conceptual modeling matters and how to make it work ?”  -- this topic is on conceptual modeling – the importance of it - and the opportunity to leverage the BOM standard to support this huge need
• “Playing Tag with M&S Assets:  Why discovery metadata matters and how to make it work?”  -- this topic is on the importance of discovery metadata and the various tools / web resources we have available to help people.
•  “Why Macs Rule, and What does this have to do with M&S Innovation?”  -- this is a topic to gets us thinking in a forward direction and the impact we still have to make

So stay tuned.   Future posts will be titled based on each of these four topics. They will initially be short and to the point -- but will end with a series of questions. Questions that I hope will spur discussion and sharing of thoughts from others I've invited into the conversation.  A conversation that can be thought of as a "virtual panel" that I anticipate I will last over a several week period.

It  should be fun!

Mac Book Pro - One Year Later

Well, as you may have noticed, the daily, then weekly updates obviously fell by the weigh side regarding my experiences with the MacBook Pro.   I wish I had been more dutifully provided updates -- but I'm here to share the good news.  After approximately 400 days of daily lid opening, web connecting, key smashing, bit pushing use of the MBP -- it has without question become the primary tool in the tool box!

That's not say that my windows computer is no longer in play.  It is!  But only at work.  Otherwise, when I travel -- it's the MBP.   When I have to work at home -- it's the MBP.   The battery life, the quality of craftsmanship, and the apps have been great, the compatibility with our Microsoft Server network and the ability to leverage and use the files I use on Windows has been terrific.  

I did make one compromise though since I started this effort.  During the summer last year I needed Microsoft Office for an urgent task when I was on vacation.  Because I didn't have my windows box - and I wasn't sure Keynote was going to do the trick.  I stopped off at a Best Buy, bought a copy of Office 2009 for the Mac, and on it went.   I wasn't a big fan -- but it was a necessary tool -- and in all honesty I was fairly pleased with it except for the Entourage email app -- which I refused to use.      Then after the Office 2011 came out -- I eventually broke down and bought the update - which came with Outlook instead of Entourage.   The update was terrific,  and I would tell you in a heart beat that Office for the Mac is much better than Office for Windows.    I also updated iLife to 2011 -- and have really pleased with those apps, which includes Garage Band, iPhoto, iMovie and more.

I still have much more plans for the MBP.   This includes creating some apps for the IPad using xCode.   But again - I am very happy with this device - and I would recommend it for anyone.   In fact -- my wife and son both have them -- and have been using them for at least six months, and it's been great not having to be asked to fix their computers now!!!

iWeb

Day 32

Discovered a great tool to prototype web sites on the Mac; an app called iWeb.   I find it to be very intuitive.  It's easy to create quality web pages and very easy to publish to the site using FTP (although the default is to try to push it to a MobileMe account - which, again, I am choosing to not get).

In demonstrating the simplicity and elegance of iWeb with some of my colleagues; I demonstrated - at different times - the ability to create or update a web site in a matter of minutes.   They were all very impressed.   The project navigator bar, the various themes you can select, the widgets, and the palette at the bottom, the inspector - all provide the kind of layout that makes it easy - and fun.

Also, for a customer, I was asked for specific input on what needed to change on a web site that he makes recommendations to.     I found email to not be a conductive tool to describe what needed to change - so quickly (within an hour) semi-cloned the web site under discussion using iWeb and made the suggested mods and then published it to a subset on our website for his review.    He was able to see it visibily - made some suggestions - and, with quick turn around, I updated the prototype site for his review.  It was all very simple -- and mutually beneficial.

I said in the opening iWeb is a great prototyping tool for the web.   iWeb does not have all the features corporate America needs for building and maintaining web sites.  But for the normal (or wanna be) hack who doesn't understand html, it's a great tool.  A tool I'm glad to have in my tool box if I need to spit out something quick.  But I also like looking at and tweaking html.   If it had that feature - it would be tempting to use iWeb exclusively for web development.  Still, iWeb, even with this deficiency, is another good reason to love a Mac.

Initiating Browser Wars - Part 1

Day 23

One thing that I have really been impressed with after 3+ weeks of Mac Book Pro use - is the browser.  I'm really liking the responsiveness of Safari.    So much so that I am now installing it on my Windows 7 box.   I consider myself a Firefox user predominately, however, I've noticed Firefox on my PC has gotten a little obese lately with all the add-ons and it just doesn't perform as well as I'd like it too.   I also use Internet Explorer for Microsoft related connections (SharePoint, Outlook Web Access, etc...).   It's not my favorite of course - but a tool that's often needed.    As far as Google Chrome --  we'll  I'm a fan of it!   However, I haven't made the switch from Firefox yet.    I may make that switch, but before I do - I'm going to give Safari a try.   For the MacBook, I have no reason to switch to Firefox or Chrome - but I will install it to experiment with it.   The real test will be with my Win7 box.    I plan to run a few timed tests on the Win7 box. The plan: 4 browsers loading 4 different web sites.   I'll also compare the times with the MacBook Pro using the 3 browsers I will have on that.   It will be an interesting to see which browser wins  - and what platform performs best.

Stay tuned for more.

MacBook Trackpad

Day 17

I want to focus a bit on the MacBook Pro's touchpad - or the "Trackpad" as they call it, which I think is revolutionary.  It almost makes the mouse unnecessary.  One finger on the touch pad works as you'd expect -- it's a no brainer; the mouse pointer moves all about the screen.  No big deal.


Two fingers, however,  and the application that has focus (i.e., the one that you are in) scrolls depending upon which direction you go.   This sure beats moving to the side of an app and grabbing a hold of the scroll region and moving the slider with the mouse or touchpad.  (Of course a mouse typically has a scrolly wheel;  a must have feature for mouse users).   

Swipe three fingers and you discover that if you are in app like Mail it moves up or down to the next item in the inbox; it navigates.   An app like Pages, which is a Word Processor for the MacBook, pages up or down in the document.  Keynote, which is a lot like PowerPoint, the three finger swipe allows you to move from one slide to the next slide in the slide deck.     

If you swipe "down" with four fingers the computer screen magically tiles all the apps and files that are up and running;  it gives you a thumbnail view of open files, which I've learned is called "Expose'".   Swipe "up" with four fingers and it returns to last app that was running (if you just swiped down to Expose) or it takes you to the desktop with all apps minimized.   If you swipe left or right with four fingers it brings up the task ribbon across the middle of the page to allow you to switch apps.  

I also discovered that the thumb and index finger gives you the ability scale the size of the content on the page; it zooms the screen!   This works for apps like Safari and iPhoto.   And after a little more playing, a twist of those two digits attached to your hand causes an app like iPhoto to rotate the image you have open.  

It's all very cool and, of course, something else to like about the MacBook.

First Lockup

Day 15

Two weeks of use now.    I must say the transition has been much easier than I thought.   I like the apps, I like the feel, and I like the responsiveness of the box.   I don't think it's difficult at all for a Windows guy like me to get comfortable behind a Mac.

But like a PC - Mac does have it moments too.  I got my MacBook locked up yesterday for the first time.  Not sure what I did. I was in the Pages app (which is a lot like Word) and the Mail client, and something  built into the OS that allowed me to explore some Zip files I had created previously in Windows.    I may have had a few other apps going like Safari.  But I had just emailed my wife something (via Gmail) and 20 seconds later -- boom -- everything locked up.   The keys and mouse -- they just didn't move.   After 2 minutes - I held down the power button and then rebooted.   Everything I was working on, fortunately, was saved.  I didn't loose anything.   And the email I had thought I had sent - truly did send.

Speaking of email.  I found it incredibly easy to enable setup and download of Gmail on the Mac.  It was as if the email client was built for Gmail.  The pop / smtp server names - things I normally go digging for - it knew.   So easy.   Also - I discovered my mail client is able to pull down my Exchange mail without VPN, which my PC requires when I'm away from the office.   This is so incredibly awesome.   It works a lot like my Android phone using an OWA connection.   Exactly what I hoped for originally.  Makes me think I probably could tweak my PC to work the same way as I'd prefer to NOT have to VPN for email.

Last night (after the reboot) I downloaded Google Earth.  Hope to play with that this week, as well as XCode and Netbeans to see what programming on the Mac will be like.   Stay tuned for more!

My Mac's Personality

Day 8

The newness of the MacBook- after 8 days has not rubbed off.  In fact, it still has that figurative "new car smell." I find the MacBook to be well engineered. From the keys, to the mousepad, to the magnet sticking power-cord, to the battery life and quick "wake-up", to the great selection of applications that come preloaded. It's sorta like my wife's Honda Pilot. Well designed. Well built. And comfortable.

Regarding that last statement, I mean that sincerely. I'm a Windows guy, and I never thought I could get comfortable with a Mac. But other than a few minor quirks (e.g., no [end] key, no [backspace] key - but I did find the [fn] [delete] key combo!)- it's not so bad. In fact, the MacBook has not stalled, crashed or burned yet. Unfortunately, I can't say that for my Windows box. In fact, if you compare the last 8 days of the MacBook with the last 8 days of the Windows box - MacBook wins hands down. Compare this.

Windows 7 Dell Notebook:

- # Outlook App "Not Responding" hour glass moments = 10 x (at least)

- # Outlook App Crashes = 4 x

- # Sleep wake ups that resulted in an undesired full "reboot" = 2 x

- Time it takes to come out "sleep" = 12 seconds

- Time it takes to fully boot up and load firefox = 2+ minutes

MacBook Pro:

- # Apps "Not Responding" hour glass moments = 0

- # App Crashes = 0

- # Sleep wake ups that resulted in an undesired full reboot = 0

- Time it takes to come out of sleep = 2 seconds (some times instantaneously)

- Time it takes to full boot up and load safari = don't know yet - I haven't shut it down complete yet.

Now, is this a fair comparison? Maybe not yet. Keep in mind my Windows PC is a few months older, and has a lot more data and apps on it. Plus, in the past week I have used my Windows PC maybe 50% more than my MacBook (because of the data and apps and sheer necessity). But let's also be honest on the apps. Even though I don't have Office for the MacBook, I still have the ability to check my mail, write (and view) Word, PPT and Excel documents - using the stuff built into Mac or provided with my $50 version of iWorks. On my PC I also use Altova's XMLSpy, which is a Windows app. But I'm sure I will venture out one day and try Parallels for Mac virtualization software to see how it performs. My preference though, would be for Altova and others to develop Java apps, which would run on Windows or the Mac OS. I think Java and Browser based applications, which results in platform neutrality, are the smart path for any development shop -- especially as the numbers of Mac users increase. Why limit yourself to just PCs.

My experiences with the PC and Mac over the last 8 days, may best personified in the PC verses Mac commercials that have played out over the last few years, which have all made us laugh at one time or another. They are funny, because we can relate to the quirks of PC -- especially if you are a Windows user. (ironic isn't it?).

But I'm experiencing first hand that character of Mac isn't far from the truth either. Have you ever noticed he's usually the first one on the scene -- fully awake from any sleep - together - ready to go. In fact, he's always the one that introduces himself first. He's genuinely interested in what's going on. And while PC exposes some of his quirks, Mac shares about a feature in a sorta non-challant way and usually offers help. Mac doesn't try to bolster his ego. PC, meanwhile, always wants to have the last word - and often exposes his frustration. Mac, on the other hand, is never frustrated.

That, I think, captures the essence of what I've experienced so far. Frustrated? At times with Windows - yes. With the Mac -- I haven't really had a reason to get frustrated -- at least not yet. But, then, there's more to discover! And I'm not sure how it will really end.

Mac @ the Office

Day 4

Well, I didn't get a chance really to play with all the cool apps on the MacBook Pro on Day 4 as I intended. That exercise is probably left best for the weekend. Instead I focused on integrating the MacBook to work in combination with the monitor, keyboard, and mouse that I use for my Dell laptop PC at work. (Picture coming soon)

The setup required a few peripheral devices: a USB switch, a USB hub, and a free VGA port on the monitor (the Dell laptop uses a DVI port). The keyboard and mouse connects to the USB hub, which in turn connects to the USB switch.

Due to desk space limitations, I wanted to be able to close the clamshell (the lid) of the MacBook and still use it. I bought a stand called a BookArc Desktop Stop, which is a little pricey ($50) but of great quality! It is, as they say, elegant; a good way to not only show off the MacBook but a great way to maximize work space.

The first trick for me though wasn't wiring these together - that part was easy, but trying to figure out how to keep the MacBook from going to sleep once the lid shut. If the lid was open, the USB switch and input selector on the display worked beautiful. In fact, if it was open, I had two desktop screens - with the monitor screen being an extension. This would be fine if desktop space wasn't an issue, but I needed the MacBook cover closed. First, I figured out how to duplicate the screen (rather than an extended screen), but when I closed the lid the MacBook went sleep. "No problem," I thought. This is a default issue with Windows easily rectified by a Control Panel app called "Power Options". I spent a few minutes hunting around a similar utility on the MacBook and found "Energy Saver" - but the tweak I wanted wasn't there. To make a long story short though - I learned that even the lid causes the MacBook to sleep, the mouse (or keyboard I suspect) can wake it up! Once I figured this out - everything worked like a charm.

One note though, the Windows Keyboard that was plugged into the MacBook resulted in a pop-up indicating that the Mac didn't recognize the type of keyboard that was plugged in and needed to know a few things. Just a few clicks and checkboxes marked - and I was good to go. There no issues (or questions) with the Logitech mouse.

The other thing I figured out was how to take screen shots! Windows has Printscreen and Alt-Printscreen. Windows 7 added the "Snipping Tool". MacBook has even more options that I'm still learning about. I plan to share more on that on a future post.

Useful Mac OS Apps

Day 3

Day 3 was a day about discovering what useful (not just cool) apps are on the MacBook that help make the transition easier for Windows users. Here's a run down of the apps I've discovered.

Safari: This is the default web browser on the MacBook. I haven't fully tested it yet with SharePoint and other Microsoft centric sites, but so far so good. On my PC I use up to three browsers: Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Chrome. Time will tell if I give up on Safari and try Firefox or Chrome. But out-of-the-box, Safari is a solid browser. I have no complaints.

Finder: Windows File Explorer (not Internet Explorer) is a key utility for probably up to 99.9% of Windows Users. It's the one app you use to locate and access files of interest on your hard drive. On the MacBook the application is identified as "Finder." The "Finder" is represented by a goofy two face icon, which I find less then intuitive in terms of representing its intended functionality. But once you launch this app, a very intuitive lay out of your folder and file space is laid out in front of you. It provides an environment that lets you easily hunt for files of interest too, which I can't say is easily offered within Windows Explorer (even the new revamped Windows Explorer offered in Windows 7). I find Finder it an easy to use utility.

PDF Reader: Let's face it. PDF files are a just a fact of life. And therefore it's important to be able to load and view PDF files. For Windows, you need to fetch and install Adobe Reader from the Adobe website. Fortunately the Reader capability is already installed on the MacBook. It's nice not having to download it. Additionally the ability to print to a PDF file (i.e. distiller) is provided for all apps on the MacBook. That fact alone eliminates a huge cost from having to go purchase Adobe Acrobat. Certainly, on a windows box - there's ways to produce PDF files for free as well (i.e., Cute PDF comes to mind), but that capability requires some PC know-how. Fortunately for a Mac newbie that type of know-how is not required.

Spotlight: Windows Search (at least for Windows 95) is weak. Windows 7, command prompt search is better - but I now know what app may have inspired the Microsoft team for Win 7 - it's Spotlight. Spotlight let's you type in anything of interest that you are trying to locate or learn about. It also has a great "history" listing of any user oriented actions (like recent docs opened, web pages, and applications that have been launched.) What confuses me though is that Finder has a search text box for locating files of interest as well - also with a reflection of past search history. But maybe having multiple paths for search on the MacBook is a blessing. On my windows box, by-the-way, I use a great app called Copernic (think Google Desktop without the bloat). I can't compare Spotlight with Copernic yet - but I think Spotlight will fill the bill.

TextEdit: I realize Windows Notepad is not on everyone's top ten list of Windows apps, but it does serve a purpose and can be highly useful for just marking up plain old text. Fortunately, the MacBook offers a comparable app called TextEdit. But, in truth, TextEdit is probably more like WordPad than NotePad as you can affect the font style (italics, bold, underline of text). For real word processing I probably would recommend the iWorks package over TextEdit - but if it's plain old text, TextEdit is find.

Terminal: The one thing I remember I disliked about Mac OS System 7 was that there simply wasn't a command shell (or solid set of commands) to navigate and explore the system behind the Mac OS's graphical user interface. Whereas Windows has always offered a DOS command shell to allow you to move and manipulate files and folder. Fortunately, Mac OS X on the MacBook offers a similar "linux" command shell called "Terminal". My unix / linux commands are a bit rusty and I need to brush up on them, but it's nice to know I have this capability. There's also another app on the MacBook called Xterm that seems to be equivalent to Terminal.

Trial-ware and Pop Ups: Most new Windows boxes seem to come loaded with time-expired trail apps and pop-ups for other apps. So far, the MacBook seems free of any trial ware apps, which is GREAT! - but there is one pop-up nag for service called MobileMe. "MobileMe is the simple way to keep everything in sync on your Mac, PC, iPhone and IPod touch." At least that's how it is marked. Of course I haven't tried it yet. You can signup for a 60 free trial. Or spend $99 for a year service. I plan to stay clear of it as long as I can, but apparently MobileMe is linked to other things within the MacBook like iLink, which, if you try to click on iLink, results in the MobileMe Pop-up nag. It would be nice if the user could associate other web deposit folders with iLink other than MobileMe (such as a corporate FTP site, a network shared drive, or other web storage location like my Google account).

Well that's all I have to share for now. There's still so much more to discover though. I haven't touched on the suite of "creative" tools that the MacBook offers, which you would have a hard time finding on a brand new Windows box. Maybe that will be the subject for Day 4.

Connectivity Right Out of the Box!

Day 2

Well this is cool! My shiny new MacBook pro - with no other special software installed - can now connect to my corporate network's Exchange Server! Email, Contacts, Calendar. They are all coming through - without Microsoft's Office products on the Mac.

It didn't take much to figure out how to wire it all up. I just opened up the MacBook's "Mail" application, filled in a few boxes (email, account name, server name) and in less than 10 minutes I had a gazillion email messages flowing into my new system from my corporate network's Exchange Server. One interesting anomaly though was that I had my Windows box on and connected to the Exchange Server at the same time. And while the Mac was "downloading" email, you could see the PC mirroring the downloading email as well (at least the inbox mail counter kept increasing - then decreasing as it detected mail that was junk). In fact both the Mac and PC were analyzing the email marking messages that were "spam". The Outlook client on the PC marked more than the Mail client on the Mac for those who are interested. The one gotcha now is I don't have VPN set up on the Mac - so this ability to fetch mail - only works when I'm wired in at work. I can, however, still access my email via the Web using Outlook Web Access (OWA).

I also explored some of the other apps on the Mac on day 2. Including GarageBand, which is a decent app for those with a creative music gene (even if you can't play musical apps). In some ways, it is a lot like Sony Acid product for Windows. I didn't spend a whole lot of time in the app, so I don't have enough data to do an apples to apples comparison (no pun intended).

I also downloaded and installed my first new app on the box (not counting iWorks which Apple installed for me before it was shipped). The app installed was the Sony Reader Library for the Mac. This past Christmas I received, as a gift, a Sony Reader, which I have fairly high marks for, but I don't use as often as should. Part of the reason I don't use it as often as I should is because the Sony Reader app for Windows just doesn't run under my "normal" account on my PC laptop. Sure I can still wire in the Reader without using the software (moving files around like you would with a USB stick), but I prefer the ability to manage my Reader with the iTunes like software that Sony provides. Bouncing out of my "normal" domain account on my PC and logging in as local user just to use the Reader Library software just doesn't sit well for me. With the Mac, I have the software I need to manage my reader. Time will tell if I end up using the Reader more now (part of me wishes I had waited for the iPad to use as a reader).

Anyhow, I'm looking forward to day 3 - to discover more great things about the Mac.

MacBook Pro Up and Running

Day 1

The first day with the MacBook Pro was smoother than I thought. Launching the Photo Booth app and setting the effects to Bulge, Dent, Stretch, or Squeeze is just a great way to start a Monday. My wife and oldest son who are not morning persons got some good laughs out of that. Compare that app, with the one that has fascinated millions of first time Windows users. Solitaire. Interesting comparison huh? With solitaire, people stare blindly into their computer zombified yet focused on laying down virtual cards from the deck on the screen. Solitaire = I am bored. Whereas Photo Booth = I am entertained. In fact it's also entertaining watching your family members grimace and contort their face to add to the effect that Photo Booth provides. So, if I was to score Apple on this one, I would give them a 10, whereas Microsoft gets a measly 4. (By the way - I have Win 7 on my other box - and I can't think of what Microsoft has produced that's new and novel for a first time fun app. Is it still just a handful of card games?)

Later on in the day I played around with Safari and in moving text content around (actually moving two older blog posts from another blog I used to maintain to this one. I found myself trying to use the keyboard as if I was on a Windows box. At first I was a bit disappointed that Control C (Windows Copy), and Control X (Windows Cut), and Control V (Windows Paste) don't work the same on Mac as the do on a PC. But then I discovered quite quickly actually that Command C, Command X, and Command V do the same trick. Didn't take long to adjust to that. Right mouse clicks (I'm using the touch pad), are a different matter. Take for example this post. So far I have typed one misspelled word (at least one that was highlighted in red to indicate a misspelled word). On my PC I could just right click on the button below the touch pad and I would get a list of optional words to use to correct the misspelling. On the MacBook, there are no buttons in front of the touch pad. Sure I can click and double click on the pad it self, but that makes it behave like a left mouse click. Intuitively though, I tried holding the control key down along with a click on the pad and boom - I got the behavior I wanted. So the word I misspelled earlier in this post was disappointed. First typed it as dissappointed. When I hover over the down with the mouse cursor. Hold down Control and click on the pad - and wala it behaves as hoped with a listing of alternative words to fix my misspelling!

One behavior I was pleased to also find is the Alt Tab type functionality I use so often in Windows to sift through different apps I have running. On a MacBook - the behavior and key configuration is exactly the same. Command + Tab. Very cool!

There are however some other keys and behaviors I'm missing. Delete is really backspace - it does not delete text placed in front of cursor as you expect with Windows. This is driving me bonkers. Also - the end key - where is it? In this post, I have a whole line of text I just want to obliterate. If I position the cursor at the beginning of the block of text, I instinctively want to press control "End". to select and delete the rest of the line. I can hover use the mouse pointer by holding select and then clicking the mouse pointer to the end of the line. That selects the text. Then I can hit the delete key (or Command X). I'm longing also for a Alt PrintScreen behavior. I want to take a screen shot and post it on this blog. I'm sure there's capability to do it - but I haven't discovered it yet.

The bottom line is that adjusting to the keyboard and behavior of the Mac has been smoother than I thought, but there are still some quirks that I need to retrain the brain on and behaviors I still need to discover. I expect it will only get easier as time goes on though.

Btw - I do want to say how much I love the tactile feel of the keys on the MacBook Pro - and the fact that they light up. That is a major plus that should not be ignored.

The End of a Windows Only Era - MacBook Pro Now in the Toolbox

I have been a long time Windows' user. Almost 20 years now! Sure there have been others: DOS, VMS, UNIX, and, for a 7 month stint back in 1996, Apple OS System 7. But I have always come back to Windows. And until Vista, which I boycotted for the same reasons most every one else did, I was always on board with the latest Microsoft version or service pack. The list is long: Windows 3.0, 3.1, Windows For Workgroups 3.11, Windows 95, 98, ME (yes - admittedly I bought and tried Millennium), NT 4, 2000, XP, and most recently Windows 7.

For almost 20 years Windows has been comfortable for me. To be honest, I have found it part flexible, agile, manageable, and best of all application rich - at least for the most part. It's an environment that has given me the freedom to write, code, create, connect and communicate. But it has also frustrated me more times than I can count. Blue screens, hour glasses, apps not responding, and, even with win 7, which is the best Win OS yet, some apps just don't run.

But tomorrow marks a new day. Tomorrow - I start with a new tool in my toolbox - a MacBook. A trip to an Apple store six months ago seeded the idea after I got a chance to play with a Mac Book and found it to be incredibly intuitive. And then 2 weeks ago, a colleague and I got a chance to play further with the Mac Book Pro, and I realized it was time.

A week later a shiny new Mac Book Pro 13" arrived from Shanghai (guess that's where they make 'em). And starting this week - I will begin a new journey, which I will chronicle here.

My plan. No Microsoft products on the MacBook Pro - at least not initially. In its place iWorks, and the other software that preloaded on the system. I want to find out if in next 90 days the MacBook Pro can be the preferred tool in my toolbox. Certainly I will keep using my PC (because of necessity more than anything else), but I'm anxious to find out if the MacBook Pro will be the tool I will tend to reach out more for. Can it help me create and craft equivalent Word, PowerPoint and Excel resource, can it help quench my desire to create and code?

I plan to share my results here. And every post with the exception of this one, will be with the MacBook Pro. Today marks the end of the PC being the only computing platform in my "must have" toolbox. Tomorrow, a new tool will be put in play. I hope to share more in the days, weeks, and months ahead! It should be fun!

Stay tuned!

-Paul Gustavson

The Matrix - Rebooted

What if the Matrix ran under Windows XP? What if Neo and Morpheus encountered "the same technological frustrations that plague the rest of us?" The answer to those questons are explored in this great spoof of the Matrix. Enjoy!

Could Google be Orwell's "Big Brother"?

Google is Big Brother.

Seriously.

Watch this video - and you'll see what a I mean...



:-)