Monatsarchiv für June 2007

 
 

New Theme (Part 2)

A little while ago, I modified October Special and decided to use that as my theme, but eventually didn’t like some things about it and also found that search and archives were not working. So, I was modding Glossy Blue, and decided that it wasn’t going well, so went on the look for a super-minimal theme. Luckily, I found this one. I like the color scheme, and I can finally add a blogroll featuring a bunch of blogs that I read.

There is a light variation of this theme, and was wondering if anyone would rather that than this. If so, I’ll add a theme switcher, and you can have the choice.

Hope you like it, I do.

Artwork: A New Audio App Contender

While I’m sure any of you use the popular app CoverSutra, there is a new one that has been in progress for the past 6 months, and it is Artwork. Artwork is being developed by Dan Deming-Henes, and so far, has been great. Artwork isn’t released to the public yet, so take this review as a preview on what’s to come. Artwork shows your album art on your desktop, with controls, in a window with the choice of large or small. One of the features of CoverSutra that has been requested frequently is inset controls, along with the HUD it has. Artwork does not have a HUD, but I find this better. For a look at the different types of views, see below.

Artwork Sizes


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Wishing for a Fountain Pen

I have recently bought a pocket Moleskine for use with GTD, meaning my large Moleskine I bought has no purpose. Luckily for me, I found one. I found this photoset on Flickr, that showed me fountain pens, good handwriting, moleskines, and a Powerbook. I realized that I had found a use, and that from that moment on, the Moleskine will be used for drafting. That means, essentially, that all important writing that I do will usually be drafted.

But, I want a fountain pen. I have never used one, so don’t know what I need or which one to get, but I know I want one. If you have a suggestion, you can leave a comment. I also want a Fisher Space Pen, but that’s for mobile purposes.

If you are really complelled to buy me a fountain pen, you can donate enough money into my paypal (if they are cheap of course), by sending it to conner (at) connerdowney (dot) com. If someone does, I will immediately edit the post, as I don’t want to scam anyone out of their money.

GTD - Not the Best Lifestyle for Teens

Recently, I’ve been trying to get into this lifestyle of GTD (or Getting Things Done), through reading websites such as lifehack.org and reading books related to GTD such as The 4-Hour Workweek. I have enjoyed reading the websites and books, but have come to the realization that I can’t really follow them completely.

There are a couple main reasons. The first reason that I see, is that I can’t do things like control my school schedule, or quit it all together (like it would be done in The 4-Hour Workweek). Also, I think that not Getting Things Done is perfectly okay.

I’ve come to that realization when I was writing down on sticky notes tips that I found from lifehack.org and The 4-Hour Workweek, and realized that they aren’t to useful to me. While it may be a good idea to check email not in the morning, and at 12:00 and 4:00, I don’t need to. It’s not impacting my life negatively, as currently I have the whole day free to do what I want (as it is summer).

There isn’t much more to say, other than that while there may be some tips that can be useful (I’ve learned how to take more efficient naps, and how to win a kickboxing match through technicalities, for example), but all of them can’t really be followed.

But, either way, I recommend you read The 4-Hour Workweek, lifehack.org, and I have yet to purchase Getting Things Done. Also, I’m excited for OmniFocus, as I have been trying to find a solution to get myself more organized, as opposed to my sticky note system I am using now.

If you have a suggestion for me to Get Things Done as a teen, then leave a comment.

Update: This is purely my opinion and my experiences. If you’ve found a way that works for you, I would like to hear it.

My Thoughts and a Summary of Leopard

leopard

For those who don’t know, Steve Jobs gave another preview of Leopard (coming in October) during his keynote at WWDC 2007. (You can watch the keynote here) There are many new features in Leopard, some that I like, and some that I don’t. That said, I like most of them, but there are some things I find useless. To see all of the announced (so far) features of Leopard, click here.


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8 Random Facts

Today, I was tagged by Jordan to participate in this.

-Players start with 8 random facts about themselves.
-Those who are tagged should post these rules and their 8 random facts.
-Players should tag eight other people and notify them that they have been tagged.

1. I want to be a multi-talented freelancer, with web design, graphic design, blogging, and do some developing with Macs while going through high school and college.
2. My introduction to Internet communities was a Homestar Runner Fan Forum.
3. I have 1 Mac Mini, 1 Macbook, and many iPods of different generations.
4. I traded my nice blue iMac G3 for a horrible, old, slow Sony Vaio laptop to my sister. I am still regretting the decision today.
5. I got my Mac Mini emulating Mac OS X on a Dell desktop, and broke it that I couldn’t fix it (I didn’t know what drivers were, and couldn’t figure out why it was messed up) and was happy ever since.
6. I watch little TV, only a couple shows.
7. I have been blogging since late 2006, but only have been somewhat successful and hard-working for a month or two, after a long hiatus.
8. I love Macs, Mac Software, and basically everything about them.

Now, I tag:

Alec Feld
Michael Yurechko
Marvin Sum
Anthony Cole
Nick Danforth
Caitlyn Imburgo
Joseph Lochli
rockstr

Too Much WWDC Speculation

Since WWDC is coming very soon, there has been much speculationon what will happen. As you can read in the comment on Jordan Chark’s blog, I have some differing views. I’ll paste what I said there below:


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Cocoa Development

As you may have read in an earlier post, I have been trying to learn Cocoa. Cocoa is what many developers for Mac OS X use to make their software, and can create great results. I have been putting it off though, even though I bought the book. The one thing I have learned so far, is how to correctly spell Cocoa.

But, instead of following the book exactly the way it says, I think it would be a good idea if I had something I wanted to do, and that is why I am writing this post. I have been wondering what types of apps my readers want, for Macs, so I can attempt to make one. You should make it easy, so I have a better chance, but put all your ideas if you want.

So, if you have an idea, or a mac app that you want, leave a comment.

PS: This doesn’t merit its own post, but I finally picked up The Four Hour Workweek, by Timothy Ferriss.

Summer

For me, summer has basically started. I have one more day off, 8th grade graduation, then graduation for the seniors. Once I’m done with those, I have the whole summer (and soccer camps and other trips) ahead of me. And, hopefully, this is where the learning begins.


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