I have been quiet lately because I have been slowly learning ruby on rails.
More posts to come but so far I have managed to:
So, lots more to learn and do. Next up I am going to try web service calls. Looks pretty easy.
The new dinosaur exhibit has finally opened at OMSI. I headed down with the kids and Julie for a members only opening on Saturday night. It was truly amazing. They have out done themselves with this impressive exhibit of dinosaur fossils found in China. It is on two floors and the size and complexity of the different dinosaurs on display are impressive. If you have kids make sure you take them to see this.
In my mind the number one upside of this deal would be:
"The market just lost 1 major competitor. Microsoft won't know how to leave the great Yahoo properties (Flickr, Del.icio.us) alone and will muddle with their look and feel, ad integration and integration of Microsoft technologies, operating systems etc. Since Microsoft has a poor track record of leaving well enough alone we will see the market open up for a whole new round of web 2.0 (3.0?) competitors who can re-invent photo sharing, bookmark management, social networking within a level playing field. And the best part is the layoffs / departures at both Microsoft and Yahoo due to integration frustration and bad HR policy will put the right people in a position to build the next generation technologies as they head to the street."
In my mind the future just got a big kick-start.
* The warm sandwiches “are going to be out by year’s end.” In the meantime, they will be “de-emphasized.” * Serving sandwiches got in the way of employees’ “ability to make the perfect shot of espresso.” In other words, spending time on sandwiches took away from the focus on coffee. * The sandwiches will be replaced with “a breakfast menu that delivers what our customers are asking for.” * “We’re going to be in the lunch business; we’re going to modify it.” [From Starbucks to get rid of warm breakfast sandwiches]
What we learned today from the new CEO of Starbucks was good news. The awful breakfast sandwiches are on the way out. Quite frankly, if you actually saw a disgruntled Starbucks employee rip one of these cardboard wonders out of the plastic wrap and toss it into the store space heater it was completely unappealing. Pretty much disgusting. And the CEO of Starbucks hits the smell issue right on the head. The sandwiches stunk up the stores. As a bit of coffee snob, I like to walk into my coffee shop and be presented with the wonderful odor of roasted coffee, not burn cheese and bacon. A bit too MacDonalds if you ask me.
What is interesting is they are going to go full on into a more full lunch offering. I wonder if this is the right move, or if they should focus on the coffee and pastry offerings. If you visit Seattle’s Best stores I think they have it right. Great customer service with the right focus on great tasting coffee drinks and good pastry offerings. Seattle’s Best fells like the brand Starbucks really wants to be. Seattle's best asks your name at the register, and they remember you and your drink orders. Something you will not find at Starbucks very often. It is one of those small personal touches which makes the experience just slightly less corporate.
Apple also announced that the free Apple TV software update enabling movie rentals is not quite finished and will now be available in another week or two.
[From Apple - Start]
The entire family headed out to the Kingstad gallery tonight to view the newest show by artists from around the Portland area. We recently met Katie Todd when she came to our home to put on a Demarle Party with my wife Julie. Katie is a gifted artist and we happy to get an invite to come out an see her work.
Here is a link to her website.
Here is a sample of her artwork:
I noticed this poll tonight on KATU.com. As I suspected, the tax rebates will serve to put some money back into our pockets but I wouldn't be at all surprised if most people will either use it to pay down debt, or put it in savings to boost their liquidity. Either way, it isn't going to end up being spent on many big screen TVs.
