I won't be unlocking my own iPhone from the AT&T network simply because for me there is no benefit to doing so (although I probably will be messing with it from the standpoint of hacking in some third party apps). But, if you have  aneed or desire and you want to run down and grab an iPhone (be sure to pay for it after you grab it) and set it up on TMobile in the US or on any GSM service provider(carriers with SIM cards) elsewhere, you can get the software now via iPhoneSIMFree resellers. Be sure to read the fine print about no guarantees it will work if Apple updates the iPhone software with a block, etc.

Here's a link to the video from Engadget showing it actually working.

Microsoft seems to have unleashed (but as of the time of this post has not yet announced) Windows Live Translator in beta. It's pretty slick. As you'd expect, you can translate either entered text or a web page for which you provide a URL. Here's an example, one of my recent blog entries translated into Spanish.

(via LiveSide.net)

I have started to form a couple lists of things to do or learn while I am on my self-induced break time. My typical methodology is to keep lists in my head, which worked well when I was a little younger and could remember things. Not so much the case these days. Ah, oldness. Gotta love it.

So I am organizing a couple lists. One if stuff I want to get done. The other is things I want to learn. Oh and and another one is things to do, which is a sort of people to see and places to go list.

Suggestions are always welcome. What do you think I should do during this unique time?

Stuff I need (or want) to get done

• Get some real rest (making great progress on this one)
• Finish the bonus room floor and trim at home (floor's done!)
• Finish the shed at home
• Add a deck to the side of the house
• Travel somewhere in a 18-wheeler with my friend Broc
• Dust off the cameras and get back into the photography swing
• Sell my street motorcycle (2004 CBR600RR - email me, heh)
• Finish reading this darned Koontz novel that I started 9 months ago, heh (done - it was Intensity and it was a fun read)
• Read another book or two (one for enjoyment, one for furthering myself)

Things I need (or want) to learn

• Learn a programming language, at least at a starter level - I an thinking C# - any ideas?
• I need to study up for a couple certification exams that the whole we-got-bought-busyness process pushed off my schedule, and then reschedule the exams

Things/places I need (or want) to do/go

• Visit family in Colorado
• Visit family in California
• Visit New Mexico (where I used to live)
• Visit a few friends and colleagues in Seattle (I'm about half-way on this one)

I'll add to this list over time. I'm not nearly as concerned about accomplishing all of these things as I am about listing them out where I can see them and whittling away at them over the next little while.

I'm quickly learning the pain of running a 64-bit OS on my new laptop. Of course, that's the version of Windows Vista Ultimate it came with, what with all the processors being sold these days are 64-bit and all.

I went to install iTunes (which installed with a message explaining it would not be able to copy CDs) and activate the new iPhone, and what do you think I see?

Crap. You have got to be kidding me.

Apparently this is a well-known issue. Except that I didn't know and on the box it says, "Windows Vista" is supported, without any mention of version or 32-bit vs 64-bit. reading the fine print details of the release notes one finds a buried mention of no support for 64-bit Windows. Hmph.

Now I have to decide what to do - return the phone out of pure spite, or sync it to a different computer... Sorry, but "lame" is the only word that comes to mind here. Fanboys will undoubtedly spew vitriol at that statement, but it's still lame.

Ideas anyone? Will a 32-bit OS running in a virtual machine work for me maybe?

I guess $200 off was enough incentive for me. Plus the way cool interface and the fact that month to month it costs slightly less than the Blackberry plan I've been looking at. Now that I am buying my own service, it's time to make the change.

So, I'm officially an iPhone guy. That was quick.

Heh. I think pigs just flew. :)

Change happens, and I'm living that fact right now. The company I work for was recently acquired and after a long stretch of doing my part to make sure everything went well with the integration process, I spent my last day on the job Friday of last week. I worked at Corillian for the past eight years, to the month. It was a great experience and I am grateful to all the good people I had the opportunity to work with and learn from. I truly appreciate the people I have worked with as well as the ones I have met over the past year during the transition process. Thanks for everything you've taught me and for some great times.

So the short version of this story is that I chose to move on find the next thing, and that by my own choice I'm on sort of an extended vacation from work right now. To be honest, a break will be good for me. Some amazing work opportunities have been presented to me recently and there are a number of people who are probably surprised I am not starting a new job immediately, but overall fit is important to me in a job and as such I will be carefully pursuing options in the near future. At this point I have to think about a variety of aspects of my life as well as work.

I plan to take a few weeks to relax and do some non-work things, followed by getting back on the work track. That means taking some time to get things done around the house, visit with some people I care about in person, do some writing and generally decompress from a year or two of extra-hard work. I'm looking forward to it.

And then, I'll be back on the trail.