MSN Local is live, and it's interesting: http://search.msn.com/local

The MapPoint visuals are pretty much what you'd expect, and the satellite imagery, at least in the are where I live, is not as good a Google Maps (not even close). Looking forward to more from Virtual Earth later this year.

In other news, a comparison of Technorati, Google and Yahoo! Search. (via Jeremy Zawondny)

My friend and coworker Scott Hanselman has updated his Ultimate Developer and Power User Tools List for 2005. All techies and geeks (especially developers) should check it out:

http://www.hanselman.com/blog/ScottHanselmans2005UltimateDeveloperAndPowerUsersToolList.aspx

Scott's list is close to famous, and for good reason. He's quite the ultimate power user. I sometimes stand over his shoulder to watch him work (he tells me he's twice as productive when I watch, is that weird or what? Heh...), and so I get to see him use all these tools in terific ways now and then.

Head on over and see what I mean.

One of these days I am going to publish my list of IT and security tools. It is a completely different list, but still interesting and useful.

Hmmm... Anyone know of a good blog posting tool for the Blackberry that would interface MT/Blogger APIs using the GPRS connnection? That would definitely make my list. Emailing this entry from a 737 (on the ground, so don't start with me) is cool, but a richer interface would be nice.

I'm in the Bay Area, flew down here yesterday to surprise my dad for Fathers Day. Yes, it worked - he was suspicious I think, but he was surprised.

I've had calls today from a number of my "other" kids, and that's truly made my day. I'm lucky to have all these great people in my life. I'm not worthy. But I'm grateful.

Oh, and here are some links for dads and their kids, for your amusement and entertainment. Dads, use these to amaze your kids - they'll make you a "cool" dad, for sure.

• Visions Of Uhh Something - Cool optical illusion trick that will make them freak.
• Buy these T-Shirts together - "Geek - Son of Geek" shirts for dads and sons.
• The Sith Sense - Vader will read your mind - Star Wars and interactive 20 questions, fun fun fun.
• Creative Windows Error Messages - Geek out with the kids (but review the web site linked for PG-13 or other content before clicking).
• For the guys only - write your name in the snow - You gotta admit, this one is addictive. And it's funny. And it's cool.
• Subservient Chicken - Self-explanatory, or if not, click the link because you're missing something important.
• Subservient Stickman - Because every good internet phenomenon needs a sarcastic, sick sequel.
• Scariest Damn Thing I Ever Heard - You can save this one for when the holiday music starts later in the year. We all need a good one on standby for our arsenal.

Gnomedex starts this Thursday evening in Seattle, and it promises to be a great time. Chris and Ponzi are wearing themselves thin getting ready. Lots of cool stuff planned.

Big announcements and a confluence of super-smart people. Gonna be a good one. Definitely not a snorer...

Be there and be square, as they say.

Darn it all! I'm wishing I was in Ohio this weekend. Why? Because this weekend is the Duct Tape Festival and it's taking place in Avon, Ohio.

Everything duct tape. I mean, what could be better than that???

Check it out at http://www.ducttapefestival.com

Berry 411 is a cool Charityware app you run on your Blackberry handheld. I've been using it for a sort time, and it's already super-useful.

Berry 411 installs an icon on your start page that gives you quick access to yellow pages, white pages, Google, movie times, weather, encyclopedia, and Froogle results.

You can dial any phone number directly from the display or add it to your phone book. The results are formatted to fit the Blackberry screen.

Skip the web browser and clunking around entering addresses to find information - this is a power tool for anyone with a Blackberry. Not sure how I missed this one over the past few months, but sure am glad I found it.

Phillip Bogle (blog), the author of Berry 411, has some other useful apps vailable for download, too. I'll need to see if Scott knows about AddToPath. And BerryBloglines is cool.

What you can do with Berry 411:

To find something, type what you are looking for and click the trackwheel. You can select from the following types of searches:

• Yellow Pages let you find local businesses by name or category.
• White pages searches residential listings.
• Google searches Google, with results conveniently formatted for the Blackberry.
• Encyclopedia searches reference information at mobile answers.com.
• Movies displays local movie times. Enter the name
• Weather displays the local weather forecase.
• Shopping displays Froogle shopping results. Eventually I will add online reviews and local shopping results where available.