Musings on memories and history...

I've been thinking about this for the last day. I feel like I need to say something but don't know what. I obviously (or maybe not) did not know Steve Jobs. I am also not an Apple Guy. I'm a PC and probably always will be (although I dabble with various and sundry Linux distros from time to time). I have an iPhone for work. If I didn't need a data phone there, I probably would not have one. I do not own an iPad or an iPod or anything else starting with an 'i' (other than the phone and I don't "own" it either).

With all that being said, Steve Jobs (along with Steve "the Woz" Wozniak) have done more for the personal computing industry than anyone except Bill Gates and it's probably a tie there. I still remember in Middle School in Johnsburg, IL programming Basic on an Apple IIe in Computer Club. Writing security software on Macintoshes and Power PC's in High School for our computer lab. I never owned an Apple, but some of my fondest computer memories involve them. The Steve's gave me that. For that, I am truly grateful. My current level of technological interest stems (in part) from their inventions, from their drive, from their ingenuity.

I still don't recommend Apple computers for multiple reasons. I do, however, pay my respects to one of the greatest marketing geniuses and businessmen in the history of the world. May he rest in peace in that great hackerspace in the sky. I know that in His infinite wisdom, a place can be found for an inventive spirit such as Steve Jobs.

On Hacking Charities

Saw an interview (video here) today that struck a chord with me. This is an interview by Space Rogue, the correspondent at Hacker News Network of Johnny Long of Hackers for Charity at the Hacker Conference SchmooCon in Washington DC. Once again, I am amazed at the effect that one person (or a small group of people) can have to affect the lives of those less-fortunate than them.

Much like the Khan Academy, these guys are trying to make a difference. Every time I see this, I want so badly to find a cause and have the freedom to devote my energies to it. It is an incredible inspiration, in contrast to all the bad press that the hacker community gets of late, to see people not giving in to the stereotype cast by the few.

That attitude is a difficult one to maintain in the face of such negativity but it is truly a testament to the mettle of these men and others like them that they persevere.

CES 2010

I would love to attend the Consumer Electronics Show just once. There always seem to be a plethra of articles during and after about cool new tech that is coming to market. Like this one for instance. A wireless chargining device. How cool is that?!

Because we can....

OK, I have a new "hero". His name is Ben Heckendorn. Ben makes laptops. Not just any laptops, though. Ben makes laptops out of consoles and rare electronics like (Atari and his latest, the Commodore 64). Why, you may ask? Because he can. Because it's a challenge. Because when you're going to that illegal arms meeting to pay for stolen AK-47's it's fun to see the look on the buyers face when he pulls out his Pellican briefcase and opens it up to find, no, not $100,000 in cold hard cash, but a portable X-Box 360 (obviously right before the arms dealer shoots him for wasting his time).

http://hackaday.com/?s=ben+heck+laptop

Someday, I want to know enough about electronics to do a Hack like this. Why? Because I can.