iPhone 3G: First Impressions (Day 1)
When Apple announced the 3G iPhone a few weeks ago, I decided it was probably time to consider the purchase of one. With the first generation, I figured it was probably best to wait and see how it developed, and just a year later, here we are at 3G.
On Tuesday (July 22), I made a trip to the local AT&T store and placed a direct order fulfillment for the phone. I was told it would take 5-7 days, maybe weeks, even. That evening, I remembered to check Apple’s iPhone stock availability web site (why didn’t I think of this the night before?) To my surprise, the Apple store at Denver’s Cherry Creek mall had stock for all three 3G models.
Ready to for 3G madness
Early Wednesday morning, I decided I’d try my luck at purchasing an 8GB iPhone 3G phone. I started my day really early with a good breakfast at The Delectable Egg at 6:30, then caught the 83L to Cherry Creek at 7:18am. I arrived at the mall at about 7:30 and I figured I’d have issues with entering the mall. Well, not at all! The mall doors were — To my surprise — already open! (The mall opens at 10 am and the same is true for the Apple store).
Sit and wait, buddy!
When I reached the vicinity of the Apple store, I was immediately greeted with a crowd of at least 35 people at 7:30! I’m not sure why, but I assumed the line would be pretty small, but I guess those folks already in line knew something I didn’t: The store would open at 8 am instead of 10!
At 8 am, the doors opened and the line started moving. Apple employees were preparing iPhone buyers before they entered the store, handing out purchase tickets, taking down pertinent information, etc. At about 8:45 am, an Apple employee stated that stock was running “really low” on the 8GB model. Then, moments later, he announced that they were completely out of stock. Of course, I decided on purchasing the 16GB model (much to blowing away my initial budget for this phone).
8GB reappears
While I pondered the additional cost of the 16GB model (I’m really just a frugal guy), another Apple employee stated that a few 8GB models were available. I immediately got on the list.
It’s in my hands
At about 10:30, the purchase of my iPhone and activation was complete. This marks the first Apple product I’ve ever owned and I must tell you, it’s a great experience! Much to my own surprise, I didn’t allow the inner geek (and kid) within to take over the moment. I patiently waited until I arrived home to fully unbox the unit and customize it to my liking. I’ve been enamored with it ever since.
Love at first byte
I think the iPhone 3G is a wonderful innovation. I consider the purchase of this phone as an investment, rather than a financial liability. Its value will pay for itself in the matter of days, because my productivity will increase tenfold. Thanks to the iPhone, carrying my laptop wherever I go is now optional, because I have access to everything I need: E-mail, Twitter, etc.
The first day has been filled with awe and admiration. I’ll definitely be ‘kicking the tires’ over the next few days and familiarizing myself with the operation of it. Honestly, I’m already ‘comfortable’ with this device. There really isn’t a learning curve at all, but there are things that will take some time to adjust to and will become second nature over time.
Overall, kudos to Apple. I’m happy to be a new iPhone owner and Apple customer.
(Note to Apple: You’ve gotta take an ‘open source’ approach with the development community and your customers. No walled Apple tree gardens, please? It wouldn’t be wise to stifle the innovation of the iPhone due to politics, backroom agreeements with AT&T, etc.)
Asterisk PBX on Amazon EC2 How-to Guide Almost Complete!
The much sought after Asterisk on Amazon EC2 How-to Guide is coming soon!
The guide will be available for download on a new website I’m launching that’s specifically focused on cloud computing! As long as you follow the instructions completely, you’ll have a powerful telephony solution “in the cloud” in 15 minutes or less! (I previously stated an hour — That’s overkill!)
Update: Just as you’re anxious to read this guide, I’m pretty antsy to deliver it. Below is a PREVIEW release of the upcoming guide, which is coming soon! Read it, test it and provide your feedback. Enjoy!
This Is Why Some People Are Better Left ‘Ignored’
In the past few days, I’ve had to deal with two annoying individuals who were hell bent on publicly attacking my views on social constructs such as “race”. Their pathetic argument has been that I don’t “practice what I preach” in the public domain. They are convinced that I’m a racist, a “wannabe ‘White Boy’,” and a hideous ‘hypocrite’.
What started these attacks? Only they would know best. However, in his latest round, he pulls out not only the “Black” label, but the “Nigger” label as well. I’d like to think that he did this simply because I’ve decided to ignore both him and his sidekick. They posted their stream of comments. I responded to a few, then decided it wasn’t worth addressing them further.
What’s interesting is this: If one asserts that no one reads this blog, why does it fucking matter if I decide against posting more of your worthless attacks? Sometimes, you simply have to ignore people in life. This is what I’ve chosen to do in this case. Frankly, I’ve discovered — Once again — That you cannot trust everyone as a ‘friend’.
What’s sad is that these two individuals believe that they have everything figured out. They’re convinced that they’ve uncovered some major contradiction about who I am. I think I’ve explained myself and my views quite well about the way I feel about our society. Some just choose to ignore the issues that need to be addressed.
Fact: In 2008, we still live in a socially constructed world. I am not delusional about what still exists in the conditioned mind. That is what I’m always fighting against, because contrary to what some MIGHT believe, there still exists the constructed ‘Black’ and ‘White’ world, of which I must live in. I am fully aware that I must balance my existence of living between ‘parallel societies’: Reality and the constructed reality. This is not an easy task.
No one knows what it’s like to wake up each day wishing for ‘real change’. No one knows what it’s like to see yourself differently than how society portrays you to be. No one knows what it’s like to renounce and discard a socially constructed identity. No one knows what it’s like to be me. People can guess, assume, and extrapolate opinions, but until you sit down and begin to understand who I am, only then can you begin to even understand why I’ve become who I am today.
nice, your true colors have shown through like I knew they would. Hide like a bitch, run like a coward. I knew you wouldn’t be capable of taking on truth within your blog. It’s so typical of a coward. Nigger you’re not, hypocrite, you are the mecca of Hypocrites.
Don’t worry little nigra, I won’t be back to your blog, I was only here to see your ridiculous contradicting posts… you need help… like seriously, for your own good.
Hopefully you’ll learn to stop running your retarded mouth, so you don’t get it kicked in by an average person that won’t put up with your racist “white man wanna-be” psycho dribble. I’d love for you to open your mouth wide screaming, the next white girl might have her boyfriend there to rip your tonsils out. How would that be for a “racial eye opening experience”
Later black boy.
What You See, Is What You Get
There are some folks who think I’m a hypocrite and that I live an alternate lifestyle here on my blog. That couldn’t be more false. This blog is the only place in the world where I can truly be myself, while sharing my deepest thoughts, frustrations, disappointments and more. Between my blog, lifecast, Twitter, articles and the online communities where I participate, there aren’t any secrets about who I am, what I am and what I believe in, as evident in these posts:
Is My Heart Empty (Or Am I Just Numbed?)
Mass Media’s Influence on Dating (and Why I Refuse to Participate)
5 Reasons Why I’m Single
Is Dating THAT Bad in North America?
I Lost My Heart, Only To Find It Again
There are friends and mentors alike who believe I should ‘tone down’ on my ‘rhetoric’ about social constructs, dating and women, just so I don’t run the risk of offending people. However, I believe this is the exact reason why people don’t pay attention to details, because most things are far too sugarcoated, rather than told in the way it should be.
There was a time in life when I held everything in. I wouldn’t dare express my opinion, for I feared that I wouldn’t be liked because of them. For example, I stopped believing in the idea of religion and “God” when I was about 10 years old. Unfortunately, it was difficult to communicate this, and I often swallowed my own values to appease others. That’s just one of many examples.
Today, I am pretty rough around the edges with regard to many things. I don’t hide my disdain for dating or women at times. Also, I have very little tolerance or patience these days for those who cannot see the obvious. All of these things are very apparent to thousands of people each month. What keeps these people coming back? It’s my willingness to live an open and honest life — No matter how harsh or kind.
There will always be people attacking my principles, views and values. This is nothing new to me. It comes with the territory. I liken these individuals to crabs that are obsessed with hindering another’s progress. They can’t stand the thought of someone who wishes to remain independent of society’s constructed reality.
Ron Paul’s “Campaign for Liberty” is Growing
Ron Paul’s “Campaign for Liberty” sent out the following e-mail to its members yesterday and I’ve decided to share it here as well. If you care about revamping the failed social policies of America, taking back control of it and making it a truly free and prosperous nation, then please consider joining Dr. Paul’s movement:
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Fourteen days off the ground and the Campaign for Liberty’s new office is open, the phone lines are being installed, and we are busy at work.
Our membership is already climbing towards 100,000. Invite your friends and family to join the Campaign for Liberty with our new email invitation tool. Can we get to 75,000 by Independence Day?
In September, we will roll out a brand new redesign of our website, with lots of innovative features and extensive resources. Our Precinct Leader Program will engage the grassroots; our news service will compete with the likes of Drudge and Huffington Post; and our blogging network - far more participatory than what we have now - will be a hub for news and opinion.
Between now and then you’ll see important updates and specific plans as we progress toward our goal.
But the great culmination and official premiere will take place in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on September 2. A grand rally is in store with speakers, musicians, and live entertainment. It will be a day to remember. Please join us. We will update you on the rally in just a couple weeks.
If we are to restore our Constitution and take our country back, we will do so only by the kind of sustained and organized action that the establishment hopes we don’t have the stomach for. As usual, you’re going to prove them wrong. We are in this for the long haul, and we have the tools - and the ideas - to win. As Congressman Paul has said, “No army can stop an idea whose time has come.”
For liberty,
The Campaign for Liberty Team
P.S. It’s no cliché to say that our country’s future is at stake. The Campaign for Liberty is preparing to lead the charge to rescue our republic and restore the Constitution. Every donation, no matter what the size, aids us in this great battle. We deeply appreciate every bit of help you can give us.