Having 2 MacBook Pros for a week allowed me to experiment with Ubuntu.

Every year I try out linux to see if it has reached a level I can live with.

I gave Ubuntu 6 a try over the last few days and it came close, but not close enough.

Show stoppers:

• No support for the microphone (for skype or gizmo project)
• Abysmal full screen DVD playback
• No built-in support for firewire (needed a kernel recompile)

Dissuaders:

• Time consuming hacking for simple things like keyboard configuration, audio and video support
• No support for iTunes (Apple need to release iTunes and Quicktime for Linux)
• Dated interface – even with the latest version of Gnome or KDE

All in all I found Ubuntu nice. It has come a long way since last year.

I don’t mind terribly having to go through the process of downloading and installing various packages to get something working.

But after reading so much about how the Mach kernel, used in Mac OS X, sucks, and the Linux kernel is superior, I was amazed that normal end-users have to recompile the kernel to get something like firewire working.

When Linux can be installed on most modern hardware without requiring the end-user to compile source code to get common functionality working it will have graduated from pre-school in my opinion.

Maybe when Edgy Eft is available it will be happy day.

Ubuntu 6 on MacBook Pro – close but no go.

As I got to work yesterday, I noticed the paint literally rubbing off the bevel beneath the command key on my new MacBook Pro. Those that know me, understand the sense of dread this triggered in me.

No. I am not some compulsive freak.

Its just that I pride myself in keeping my business hardware in near perfect condition to maintain the resale value.

The paint flaking off coupled with the irritating CPU whine my machine has been exhibiting from time to time, and scalding hot temperature it reaches finally gave me the incentive to head off to the local Apple store for some TLC.

The experience was pleasant, but a complete waste of time. They would not address the CPU whine issue until I could get the machine to produce a sufficient enough volume to allow them to take action.

I explained that I have done the research, performed all the firmware updates and given the MacBook time to break in. But that the issue tends to occur after some intensive work followed by idling, and once started goes on until the machine is either taxed with some heavy lifting or put to sleep.

After 2-3 minutes the genius headed off to help another customer and said he would check back once the MacBook had warmed up.

Well, over an hour later I gave up waiting. The genius was now helping 3-4 customers and the store was incredibly noisy. The MacBook was piping hot, but I couldn’t tell if the whine was my MacBook or the G5 sitting next to it on the counter, so I decided to go the old-fashioned route. I called Apple’s toll-free line explained the situation and a few minutes later was on my way home with a DHL box en-route.

The nice guy, playing the part of the genius, explained that is was company policy and his manager insists that they personally confirm every issue before anything is shipped out for repair.

An understandable policy considering the flood of complete novices I encountered on this trip. One insisting her iPod was defective because it wouldn’t play Window Media files.

DHL will be here momentarily to pick up the MacBook Pro and hopefully in a few days it will be returned better than ever.

Moral of the story. Don’t go to an Apple store if you know what is wrong. Call Apple instead.

of Martin Fowler’s keynote at the RailConf is great stuff.

I took away the following, and have seen it in my own work since adopting Ruby and Ruby on Rails.

• Quick doesn’t mean dirty – anymore
• Opinionated software is good
• Do less better

Thanks to my partner I have access to a Virtual PBX with a toll-free number. He has been working with this technology for close to a decade and it is pretty cool stuff.

That said, with VoIP, Skype/Gizmo and Asterisk, does old fashioned toll-free numbers matter anymore for small technology businesses?

My gut say not for long. But then again, customers may not agree right?

Ran across a highly under-rated and short-lived television series in the iTunes Music Store called Touching Evil.

!Touchingevil

It was a short-lived series on the USA network that had a very unique quality to it. It was well produced, dark and slightly disturbing, with excellent acting.

Unfortunately, only a single episode is available on iTunes (and not the pilot either). Also, Amazon does not show the DVD version of the series as shipping. But I highly recommend it!

Today’s desert island track, Mother Mother by Tracy Bonham, from The Burden of Being Upright.

Heard this track on XM Radio the other night, passionate, angry and powerful. Had this CD, but lost it in the cross country move ti Raleigh.

Today’s desert island disc is, Big World from Joe Jackson (not available on iTunes).

Saw Joe Jack on this tour at the Greek Theater in Berkeley, California, USA. He was flawless and amazing. This record was actually recorded in front of a live audience in Japan (if I remember correctly), as if it were a recording studio.

A few cool sites over the holiday.

• Workhappy.net posts great interviews, articles and reviews for small business.
• 16Bugs is an online bug tracking and management system. Built using Rails it seams. I found it thanks to Workhappy.net of course.
• GoBig Network seems to be an interesting site for businesses to invest and find investors in their business, among other things.
• UC Berkley on iTunes is a portal to podcasts of the universities classes, lectures and other events. Great way to squeeze in some extended education!

Happened to revisit this excellent article on managing e-mail.

It is a good to revisit it from time to time and retrain the reflexes.

Ever wonder what causes that sinking feeling of dread just before you open your e-mail client? Is it the hundreds of new messages that will mock you in all their need-a-response-asap, unread glory?

(Via Lifehacker.com.)

Wouldn’t it be interesting to have an unread e-mail box on the side of your blog? A feature similar to those phone holding queue messages like, there are 27 unread messages.

A visual clue for those inclined to send e-mail.