The DROID Has Landed
In my initial testing, it looks really promising.
Like a Dream You Came to Me
Like a dream you came to me,
And trod along the gentle path,
Like a dream you spoke again,
Said what I had once hoped to hear.
A million sighs like filled balloons
Flew pleasantly southwest and high,
Blown fast by kind old Zephyr's touch.
The old familiar visitant,
The ache that's spanned the years and years,
No longer welcomed, nor its lack
Did sting as we today ambled.
The birds gathered and sang just like
A merry band of strolling lutes,
But not outshown by the kindly Sun,
Who poured and splashed his golden rain
Upon your hair (each strand repaid).
But your smile accrued double.
So why am I again attended by
The milky form as though conjured?
Well paid, I do not owe again!
Your golden glow will pay suffice!
Why then do I again feel poor?
Surely, though it was like a dream…
But, oh! There was no like — only a dream.
iDon't Know
Verizon is, without a question, making some really strong decisions in recent times — not the least being the decision to go to LTE for its 4G network (a truly impressive technology). I also think the choice to move away from its long time ties to BREW phones, by putting a lot of its emphasis on Blackberry, Windows and now Android phones is brilliant and clearly the wave of the future.
I'm still not so sure of this campaign. While I don't advocate Dan Hesse's answer as a good way to compete, I think it is pretty bold to put a phone up as doing what the iPhone cannot do.
The trouble is that for as limited as the iPhone is in things such as multitasking, it is doubly ahead in ways most users actually care about: a huge ecosystem of first rate, beautiful, touch oriented apps; desktop class web browsing on a small screen; integration with the iTunes/iPod digital hub, etc.
It's significant that, for example, Apple clearly sees its consumer-level iPhone OS competitors more as Sony and Nintendo than Microsoft or Blackberry. Apple is also trying to play the enterprise card, but in this case, the consumer offers a far more lucrative market.
I think those iPhone advantages can be overcome for many users, and phones like the impressive HTC Imagio that I'm presently reviewing make a very good value/functionality argument for certain market segments. However, in sheer average user functionality, the iPhone has managed to rocket from out of nowhere to become the device to beat in mindshare and, in some segments, marketshare.
If I were Verizon I'd probably stick with the network tact and bide my time until the inevitable iPhone LTE shows up on their network.
asisaid Challenge Returns: Predestination
The Rules of the Challenge
You are on your honor not to Google or otherwise use electronic search tools to find the answers. The points will only be awarded to (a) regular commenters on asisaid or (b) people I know well via other means. I reserve the right to determine what these two categories mean and further reserve the right to disqualify any participant at any time for any reason. Call it unconditional election, if you wish and think that isn't potentially presumptuous coming from a mere mortal.
There is no guarantee of prize value or receipt and no purchase necessary to receive it. The prizes have no cash value and will be awarded at the sole discretion of Timothy R. Butler. I reserve the right to end the Challenge at any time. Domain registration, if chosen, will be provided through Universal Networks and its registrar affiliate. Void where prohibited. You must be of legal age, typically 18 years old, to participate in this challenge for a prize. All ages and locales are welcome to participate “just for fun.”
Jack and Squat
If you didn't catch this going around the internet yet, here is a little presidential address from last Saturday to brighten your day.
Tullian's Take
I don't claim to be well versed enough in the situation to make a clear statement on who is right in the Coral Ridge conflict, but I like what Tullian Tchividjian said in an op-ed published in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel:
Finally, whenever you see any of us who claim to be “Christ followers” behaving in a manner that is unlike Jesus, please forgive us. And please let that be a reflection on us, and not on Him. As imperfect people, we will continue to let you down and disappoint you, but Jesus will never let you down—he will never disappoint you. This conflict has “given the world the justification they're looking for to disbelieve the gospel”, and I am sorry.
Very true.
Can You Tell Helvetica from Arial?
Think you know your fonts? Try this quiz that takes famous logos using the Helvetica typeface to see if you can spot the (original) Helvetica version versus the Arial version.
HT: John Gruber. (Incidentally, I got 20/20, which means I get at least a brief moment to glory over the aesthetically astute John Gruber.)
Preparing to Preach
I'm trying my first attempt at preaching a Psalm this week. I'm preaching from Psalm 54, which is related to either 1 Samuel 23 or 26. Here's the text of the Psalm (ESV):
TO THE CHOIRMASTER: WITH STRINGED INSTRUMENTS. A MASKIL OF DAVID, WHEN THE ZIPHITES WENT AND TOLD SAUL, “IS NOT DAVID HIDING AMONG US?”
O God, save me by your name,
and vindicate me by your might.
O God, hear my prayer;
give ear to the words of my mouth.
For strangers have risen against me;
ruthless men seek my life;
they do not set God before themselves. Selah
Behold, God is my helper;
the Lord is the upholder of my life.
He will return the evil to my enemies;
in your faithfulness put an end to them.
With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you;
I will give thanks to your name, O LORD, for it is good.
For he has delivered me from every trouble,
and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.
I'm excited.
Love Story
Is it just me, or is it extremely encouraging that a song that has been consistently sitting near the top of both country and A/C charts for the better part of the year alludes to two major pieces of literature, one of which forms the overarching conceit for the song?
Of course, it will be a sad day when a teacher gets an essay exam back with the answer to “Who was Romeo?” being “a character in a song by Taylor Swift.” Sad, but inevitable.
Musical Answers
Melissa tagged me on Facebook with a meme in which one takes a recording artist's song titles and attempts to answer a series of questions using only those titles. It was a challenge, but I thought I'd give it a go:
1. Pick your Artist:
EVANESCENCE2. Are you a male or female:
THE ONLY ONE3.Describe yourself:
IMAGINARY4. How do you feel:
HAUNTED5. Describe where you currently live:
GOOD ENOUGH6. If you could go anywhere, where would you go:
YOUR STAR7. Your favorite form of transportation:
GOING UNDER8. Your best friend is:
TAKING OVER ME9. You and your best friend are:
FARTHER AWAY10. What's the weather like:
WHISPER11. If your life were a TV show, what would it be called:
ALL THAT I'M LIVING FOR12. What is life to you:
SWEET SACRIFICE13. Your current relationship:
MISSING14. Your fear:
MY IMMORTAL15. What is the best advice you have to give:
LOSE CONTROL16. Thought for the Day:
LACRYMOSA17. How you would like to die:
MY LAST BREATH18. Your soul's present condition:
19. My motto:
TOURNIQUET
BRING ME TO LIFE
