Some technology musings

- I recently bought a new Windows laptop: HP DV1000. I have to say, this is a heck of a sexy machine for about $1100. Fast, light, GREAT screen, and goes forever on a single battery. The backlit bluelights on the feature keys makes this a sleek machine, but cheap too! It also has a unique feature: if you have a CD or DVD in the drive, you can play it without starting Windows, further extending the battery life! If you are in the market, I can say I spent about 2 months researching and trying: this one is the best for the price. And after owning, I STILL feel that way!

- I was all set to get a Treo 650, but I found out the Bluetooth is poorly implemented. For instance, I cannot click a button on my Bluetooth headset and voice dial, something I can do with my Sony Ericsson T616. Not only is that bad, it's unsafe. What was Palm thinking? They say a fix will be worked on, but probably not until another model! So much for convergence...

- I'm using AT&T's CallVantage voice over IP service now. If you aren't familiar with it, if you have a broadband web connection, chuck your phone service, and run it over your high speed internet service. Neat? Yes, but CHEAP: $30 for unlimited local and long distance. And the quality seems the same to me!

- After 15 years, cable finally seduced me. So long DirecTV (I was subscriber #893); the lack of HDTV support on the broadcast networks, as well as $1000 for a DVR (Tivo) that would record HDTV was too much to bear. Comcast, for $50 a month for 12 months, gives me HDTV, DVR, HBO and On Demand. The On Demand is great, especially if you subscribe to a premium service (HBO, Showtime), as every special, movie, or series is always available for you to watch, free, whenever you want!

Ok, enough for now. I'll jump into more as I have time!

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Tretakoff Musings

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