For the last 2 years or more I’ve used Sony-Ericsson mobile phones - the last being the Z800i. They’ve all been good phones, quite simple to use and they’ve met my needs quite well …. or so I thought. I certainly have never complained about them in any way more than I’ve complained about other phones.
For years I have held a view that menu navigation on all phones left a lot to be desired and in this regard the Sony-Ericsson phones were no better nor worse than any others I’ve had in the past (primarily Nokia or Motorola years ago).
A month ago, after saying I didn’t need one only a few weeks beforehand, I bought a 3G iPhone.
At first I was a bit dubious about it. Now a month later I say, without any concern, that it’s the best mobile connection device I’ve ever used. To call it a phone is to sell it short. To call it any one thing also sells it short. I don’t know how to categorise it to help with its description - which is unfortunate.
Menu navigation and control of user preferences are the simplest and most uncomplicated of any phone I’ve ever seen or used before.
The larger screen is simply wonderful.
Typing on the touchscreen keyboard is far more accurate, for me, than on any keyboard of any previous phone I’ve ever used. At last I can type an SMS without at least 50% spelling or punctuation errors. I mean what I say and say what I mean now - far more often.
Calls are clear and connections consistent.
And it syncs so easily with my AddressBook and Calendar without a hitch.
And I suspect that as Apple continues to evolve the firmware for the iPhone that the experience will only get better and simpler in the months ahead.
For the last few years I’ve been using, on and off, MacFamilyTree. I found though that it doesn’t seem to handle dates in a consistent manner and the kinship report was quite a bit wonky in the relationships it reported.
So I gave iFamily for Leopard a trial for the last 10 days.
Very glad I did. For me, the way I use software, iFamily for Leopard seems to fit a lot more comfortably and so I will be buying a license, if and when PayPal stops timing out that is. USD $29.95 seems good value to me.
I am spending the day today getting the Sheehan Family Tree in a bit better shape. Of course this is a “Never Ending Story”. Fiona plans to watch the Olympics so this’ll give me something to do.
I have published a Family Tree, of sorts, which can be found here. If you find any errors, omissions or have more information don’t hesitate to email me and let me know. It only takes a few moments to update the database and to republish to the web.
All family tree information is stored in a GEDCOM compliant database using the MacFamilyTree application (we are Apple Mac people). If you also have a GEDCOM compliant application let me know and I can send a copy - in exchange for a copy of your GEDCOM database. It is doesn’t matter if you use a Mac, Windows, Vista or Linux with your personal computers - as long as you have a GEDCOM compliant database we can exchange genealogical information very easily.
This is a visual representation of Mum’s family as the database is reporting today. There are still a number of errors and omissions - its a big job. I thought this may interest a few in the family.
I am spending the day today getting the Sheehan Family Tree in a bit better shape. Of course this is a “Never Ending Story”. Fiona plans to watch the Olympics so this’ll give me something to do.
I have published a Family Tree, of sorts, which can be found here. If you find any errors, omissions or have more information don’t hesitate to email me and let me know. It only takes a few moments to update the database and to republish to the web.
All family tree information is stored in a GEDCOM compliant database using the MacFamilyTree application (we are Apple Mac people). If you also have a GEDCOM compliant application let me know and I can send a copy - in exchange for a copy of your GEDCOM database. It is doesn’t matter if you use a Mac, Windows, Vista or Linux with your personal computers - as long as you have a GEDCOM compliant database we can exchange genealogical information very easily.
To give some idea to perspective this is a great series of images that show the size of the Earth relative to the other planets in the solar system, and then goes on to relate the size of the Sun to other stars.
And to provide some a further idea of the scale of things. If the Earth were the size of a basketball, the atmosphere on Earth would be, on the basketball, the thickness of a coat of varnish.
Before you hit send on that next email, perhaps you should run down this list, just to be sure:
Is it going to just one person? (If yes, jump to #10)
Since it’s going to a group, have I thought about who is on my list?
Are they blind copied?
Did every person on the list really and truly opt in? Not like sort of, but really ask for it?
So that means that if I didn’t send it to them, they’d complain about not getting it?
See #5. If they wouldn’t complain, take them off!
That means, for example, that sending bulk email to a list of bloggers just cause they have blogs is not okay.
Aside: the definition of permission marketing: Anticipated, personal and relevant messages delivered to people who actually want to get them. Nowhere does it say anything about you and your needs as a sender. Probably none of my business, but I’m just letting you know how I feel. (And how your prospects feel).
Is the email from a real person? If it is, will hitting reply get a note back to that person? (if not, change it please).
Have I corresponded with this person before?
Really? They’ve written back? (if no, reconsider email).
If it is a cold-call email, and I’m sure it’s welcome, and I’m sure it’s not spam, then don’t apologize. If I need to apologize, then yes, it’s spam, and I’ll get the brand-hurt I deserve.
Am I angry? (If so, save as draft and come back to the note in one hour).
Could I do this note better with a phone call?
Am I blind-ccing my boss? If so, what will happen if the recipient finds out?
Is there anything in this email I don’t want the attorney general, the media or my boss seeing? (If so, hit delete).
Is any portion of the email in all caps? (If so, consider changing it.)
Is it in black type at a normal size?
Do I have my contact info at the bottom? (If not, consider adding it).
Have I included the line, “Please save the planet. Don’t print this email”? (If so, please delete the line and consider a job as a forest ranger or flight attendant).
Could this email be shorter?
Is there anyone copied on this email who could be left off the list?
Have I attached any files that are very big? (If so, google something like ’send big files’ and consider your options.)
Have I attached any files that would work better in PDF format?
Are there any or other emoticons involved? (If so, reconsider).
Am I forwarding someone else’s mail? (If so, will they be happy when they find out?)
Am I forwarding something about religion (mine or someone else’s)? (If so, delete).
Am I forwarding something about a virus or worldwide charity effort or other potential hoax? (If so, visit snopes and check to see if it’s ‘actually true).
Did I hit ‘reply all’? If so, am I glad I did? Does every person on the list need to see it?
Am I quoting back the original text in a helpful way? (Sending an email that says, in its entirety, “yes,” is not helpful).
If this email is to someone like Seth, did I check to make sure I know the difference between its and it’s? Just wondering.
If this is a press release, am I really sure that the recipient is going to be delighted to get it? Or am I taking advantage of the asymmetrical nature of email–free to send, expensive investment of time to read or delete?
Are there any little animated creatures in the footer of this email? Adorable kittens? Endangered species of any kind?
Bonus: Is there a long legal disclaimer at the bottom of my email? Why?
Bonus: Does the subject line make it easy to understand what’s to come and likely it will get filed properly?
If I had to pay 50 cents to send this email, would I?
I flew to Sydney for the day yesterday for two business meetings. This is the first travel since breaking my foot on Nov 24th last year. As things turned out the Virgin Blue jet down to Sydney used the parking bay farthest out - meaning I had the longest walk possible to get to the taxi rank. It did my foot good.
The business meetings went quite well - at the Hilton and then in Alexandria. However, I didn’t get to:
Pick up Dad’s ashes from Northern Suburbs Crematorium;
Get out to Bayview to see the house or meet the estate agent;
See any family members.
I suspect we’ll be down in Sydney next week as well so hopefully will get a chance to do these things in the coming week.
And why oh why in this day and age, do most taxi companies continue to do entire fleet driver changeovers at 3:00pm? I remember this happening in my youth but that’s 35 years ago? It’s nigh on impossible to get a taxi from 2:30pm to 3:15pm anywhere in Sydney.
or other emoticons involved? (If so, reconsider).