Jim Roepcke's weblog have browser, will travel (est. 1999)

Posting via AppleScript

I just got over some hurdles with AppleScript and Conversant's XML-RPC interface, and managed to get it to add a message (this one) to the weblog page. Yay!

I should mention that credit goes to Larry Staton Jr. for the info I needed to get over the hurdles.

If you're using XML/XML-RPC/SOAP from AppleScript on OS X, you NEED to download Steve Zellers' app that provides the debug info (request/response dumps, etc).

http://homepage.mac.com/zellers

Thanks Larry and Steve!

Shanghai Kid

Shanghai Noon rocked, but I don't know why it was called Shanghai Noon.

Owen Wilson makes me laugh and scream at the same time. Sometimes he's funny, sometimes he's just fucking annoying. His voice... he sounds like he REALLY needs to blow his nose.

Jackie Chan rules. I wish I had the channel that had the Jackie Chan adventures cartoon.

My MWSF 2002 predictions

iMac:

15" LCD, as expected, maybe widescreen, not sure. Not sure if it'll look like a 15" studio display with a bulge in the back and a slot in the front, or some kind of hybrid desktop/laptop as shown on acorncreative.tv, or something completely different.

The romantic side of me pines for a web-pad/slate type of thing with pen input. Apple has been rumored to be working on something called InkWell (same link cica Aug 8, 2000 via the web archive) for a long time now, originally based on the Newton's Handwriting Recognition system (but who knows where it's at now). Steve Jobs hated the Newton, or so I'm told, but I believe he hates being one upped by Bill Gates even more, so hopefully he'll try to gte an Apple pen-based system out before Microsoft ships their webpad stuff.

I also think they might do this because it's been a little while since Apple has really shaken things up. First iMac and USB, then iBook with AirPort. They haven't done anything quite as revolutionary since.

Gigawire. Whatever that is. I think it's 3.2 Gbps FireWire, not some wireless 54 Mbps thing people have been talking about. If they're working on wireless firewire, and it's really based on 802.11 as I've been reading, I bet they'd called it GigaPort something like that. But perhaps it's both.

iBook:

Speed Bump, maybe a 13" or 14" screen, if prices have come down enough. (probably not 14" as it would make it too big, I think they want to keep it small) I think Apple believes the pro video stuff will drive sales of PowerBooks enough that they don't have to worry about the iBook cannabilizing its sales, and, they want to make the best Macs available as they can at a low price point.

Gigawire. Everything will have it. (assuming it exists)

Depending on how this HWR stuff plays out, the iBook might have it too. I remember seeing pictures or a description of a laptop keyboard and a desktop keyboard with a pad area for writing on with a stylus.

PowerBook:

Faster processors again. Gigawire. I'd really love backlit keys (not a stupid lamp like the IBM ones have). Gigawire.

PowerMac:

I don't think they'd come out with the G5 before recouping their investment in Apollo, especially if they can get them in gigahertz speeds, which is all they really care about at this point. With the iMac coming out they can wait until Tokyo or NY for the G5. DDR RAM, Gigawire, a new enclosure (maybe). Superdrive at lower price points. I've heard this is the first motherboard with a completely fresh, no holdover design since John Rubenstein took over, and that people are excited about it.

PowerServer (maybe):

Who knows. But OS X can make a great server, and they've got great software. Hopefully clustering stuff. I like Jaharmi's idea about selling the iDisk/roaming profiles software. Remember someone mentioning dodecahedrons on MacOSRumors? Imagine clustering those suckers by stacking them. cool. (won't happen, just rambling) hehe

iPod:

Hopefully the recording mode will finally arrive. Windows compatibility. But I think this'll wait for gadget-gaga Tokyo.

WebObjects:

The next version of WebObjects will (hopefully, PLEASE!) be released.

iPhoto:

Now that Adobe has announced their plans Apple can safely announce this for real, more than just the seminars they've been advertising about it.

Non-product related stuff:

Damien wonders if they'll buy or partner with another corporation. I don't know. Maybe Palm, now that they're hurting again, but I'd say partnership before acquisition. I don't think Apple can afford anything to drag it down. iPhone? I dunno. We'll see.

Microsoft (sigh):

I think there's going to be more about Microsoft in this too. They'll probably announce WMP for OS X, even though it's been done for a long time. I think Apple might also do something to counter MS. It's so hard to say here... the 5 year deal is over, so will Apple suck up to Microsoft to extend it, or defy them because they've been such assholes to everyone?

Another comedy

Just finished watching Joe Dirt. I love this kind of movie. I laughed hysterically a few times, and that's just what I needed.

I still have Jurassic Park III, Shanghai Noon, and Pearl Harbor to watch.

Israeli president vetoed by Sharon

Sharon vetoes Israeli president's speech to Palestinians

I don't trust Sharon one iota, but suggesting a one year cease-fire seems pretty stupid to me. An ever lasting end to violence is a much better thing to build towards. (I just don't think Sharon is doing that)

A followup about Klein

This is a followup about a previous story, that of Premier (of Alberta, Canada) Ralph Klein's now public problems with alcohol. I suggested that Canada would embrace him, not disgrace him, and so far it looks like I was right...

CNEWS Politics: Who's hot & Who's not in 2002

Rod Philips misses a game

Happy New Year everyone! I'll start off the year with an Oilers story.

Edmonton Sun: Nosebleeds stop mouth that roared

This is a total bummer. I always thought it was cool that he'd never missed a game. And for a nosebleed? Argh. Oh well. Let's hope he can break that record, starting with the next Oilers game.