Inch scale vs. Foot scale This gizmodo article points to two pieces arguing that since new smartphones have so much functionality, they may replace laptops. This is wrong. Post-It notes have as much functionality as legal pads, and yet we don't see one replacing the other. People want to do some tasks at the "inch-scale" and others at the "foot-scale" and that's all there is too it. Mark Weiser, and other people in the ubiquitous computing arena, have understood this since Parc. It's as true today.
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Direct to iTunes The Red Hot Chilli Peppers have released their "Greatest Hits" album on iTunes. It's interesting that their management agency initially tried to stop this, arguing that per-track online sales should be discouraged to preserve the album format. Albums are valuable because they 1) bundle tracks (to increase the overall willingness to pay) and 2) increase profits by making the physical media distribution more efficient. Digital per-track sales erode both of these effects. It's worth thinking about what the "single" based music act looks like -- more experimentation? More one-off collaboration? More corporate sponsorship?
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"A touching faith in arithmetic" There is so much hot air in the media about which political party truly represents the people etc., that it is great to see the actual numbers that drives elections and therefore policy. Not that I don't think the hot air has a use -- I would not want those passions expended anywhere else.
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Great news! Saddan Hussein has been captured!
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