I’m searching for some type of solution. And if there is no solution, someone will make a huge buck creating the solution.

### The Problem: Social Overflow

Keep in mind how many sites you have a social presence, not even an active one, it may be some type of casual involvement. I’m sure there are a ton, as in my case. Most of those are very casual, meaning I don’t visit them all that often.

This is mostly because _I forget about them_ or they really don’t mark high up on my list to give them the time to visit on a semi regular basis. Thus they lay dormant for a time until I remember and gain interest once again.

### Is there a solution to this problem?

It would be great to have a page where you can __scan__ this social content in a way that speeds up the process of being active on a site like [digg](http://www.digg.com/) or [pownce](http://www.pownce.com/). It has become very time consuming to do this currently and I feel that others who may be interested in what you have to say might not be able to see the various avenues in which you communicate online.

Would it not be helpful to incorporate all that communication on one page? Would anyone actually care to see where you are actively participating, what you are saying (or sharing) and who else is participating?

The more I think about it the more complex it becomes. But it also sounds very useful.

### Is it a pipe dream?

What worries me about the possible solution is the possible overload. I might be asking for what I think is a bowl of berries but what I might actually get is a truckload, which is worthless also. There would need to be a balance so as to avoid overload while still making access to one persons content convenient.

Convenience is what I really desire. There is no website that is the Super Wall-mart of the online world, or none that I’m familiar with.

Just to clarify, I’m not complaining about the individual user names and passwords each site requires for participation. There are solutions for managing those very well. It’s the content from within those sites and activity of interest that needs to be managed more effectively, somehow.

In addition, I’m not taking in to consideration all of the blogs, podcasts, and forums to which comments are posted and further discussion takes place. If those could be integrated as well, that would be fantastic.

I’m sure you can relate to the sentiments and experience I’m relating. Is there a best practice for keeping sane in an effort to obtain content and participate in a convenient and thorough fashion?

Here is an interesting audio accessory. The Replug is a magsafe like headphone jack, meaning if you yank the cable the force overcomes the magnet attachment and physically disconnects. Using this on your headphones will most likely save your ears and neck more than your equipment, but a good yank could typically result in an unwanted fall, not that falls are wanted or anything.

This is a nice idea that I can see being applied to other cables that tend to be tugged, yanked and otherwise unwieldy. But I have a concern.

Force x Mass = Possible Fall

So if you use this on an iPod will it result in a fall regardless of this magnetic connection. Yes there are a lot of variables that effect this scenario, but consider this.

I occasionally set my iPod on my desk while I have my headphones in. If you use the regular length headphone cables with this and quickly jerk the iPod, I’m thinking the connection will break, as the iPod falls to the floor. I cant imagine that the mass of the iPod is enough to break the connection before the iPod starts moving.

Yes, you could have the iPod in a dock or do something to secure it, but that seems to defeat the need to have this also. I have a long headphone cord to prevent a quick turn that results in a fall and allows me to move about my desk without the cord restraining me.

This would be great for notebook users in general, however. An iPod may be better protected with a very protective case and some caution.

For example, in copywriting it is important to remain consistent in word usage. Sometimes rules can be made on-the-fly, as long as those rules are followed consistently.

Along those lines, how do you format the commonly used word email? There are a handful of ways that I’m sure I’ve used but never have I settled on one I like.

Sure, grammar can be put aside. In the end this is really a question of looks over words.

I have always referred to the web content as HTML. I have noticed, however, some sites, and blogs too, say XHTML valid. This is similar to my RSS dilemma, in that I’m not sure what the benefit of XHTML is. I could use some insight in this regard.

What is different between HTML and XHTML, and should I consider using the latter instead?

The Space Shuttle Discovery arrived on the launch pad on April 7th. This marks the beginning of NASA’s efforts to return to space, while still using the aging yet capable craft. According to the organization the launch of the Discovery is hopeful between May 15 and June 3. It certainly is a big milestone since the Columbia accident over two years ago.

I have always had a fascination with space. It really is such an amazing thing to ponder, mostly because it is nothing like what we as humans can relate to here on earth. Vast amounts of nothing is hard for me to comprehend. And then the added element of space flight is thrown into the mix.

As a child I just loved the idea, flying with the stars in a sense. I had kept track of launch dates and later watched the online space shuttle tracking map. Sonic booms were a regular occurrence. I would watch movies and documentaries on space flight. My family visited the Kennedy Space Center twice in a couple of years (the bus tours are memorable). I didn’t want to be an astronaut, though, I just found it fun to study and it lead to a real desire to learn more about physics.

Some people say "it’s just another space flight." I say there’s a lot to nothing, and although it may seem routine we should know it is not. It may not be easy to comprehend what’s "out there", but it sure can be fun just to think about it once and awhile. Then, just then, I realize just how miniscule I really am.

For more information on the Discovery Mission STS-114, including photos, mission details, and even an RSS feed for news updates, check out NASA.gov’s Return To Flight.

NASA Completes Shuttle Fuel Tank Test

An official announcement was made today by Apple Computer regarding the release of their next operating system.

I’m looking forward to Tiger, but it might be a bit of a disappointment in comparison to Panther, the most influential and lauded upgrade to OS X and rightly so. Spotlight, a powerful searching technology that will be harnessed by many a mac developer, and the revitalized Mail application seem to be the two big deals for me. I don’t do much in the way of scripting, but for those that do the Automator app seems to give scripting more of a friendly interface. On second thought, I might just find something that needs a script. Any features you are especially looking forward to?

I’m not sure if I’ll go to the Friday night bash at the Tampa Apple Store or just order it online. Either way I’m going to get this upgrade at $69.99. It’s the educational price and since I’m a student you can be sure I’m going to take advantage of it.

How many more upgrades will there be to OS X before Longhorn is released? Give it a shot while I chuckle.

Now that google has made cartography more enjoyable many of us are posting screenshots of locations across the country. Being a Disney Geek, I figured I would have to check out Disney World. What I was interested in this time was the behind the scenes area. Cast member parking, maintenance buildings, and possibly a construction zone or two.

It seems that one of the largest of the backstage areas is actually north east of the Magic Kingdom. I think there are several backstage roads as well, although I’m not and have not been a cast member so I’m just guessing. But I have not seen delivery trucks drive through the front gate of the Magic Kingdom parking area either.

I know I’m not the only one to share in these voyeuristic activities. Pop a link in the comments to someplace you found inspiring to view from the top.

They have just announced that Yahoo! has acquired Flickr.

First off, congratulations to the creators, programmers, and initial supporters. It’s a big deal to be recognized in this way.

I see this move as being very beneficial to all of the Flickr users— especially the free accounts (a.k.a. me). Yes, I’m not a die hard fan, in fact I need to get around to taking pictures more often. There are, though, two things I see improving quite rapidly. Bandwidth limits should be increased. Uploads will be faster. These are just improvements I’m assuming Yahoo! would be able to manage easily.

Any features or improvements you see happening? Whats your take on the acquisition?

I have formed an opinion on the Mac Mini (previous
status — undecided).

First off, I think it appeals to many, not just Windows users tempted by the
unusually low price. Students, parents, offices, libraries, schools, Mac heads,
teenagers, retirees, executives, designers, programmers, system admins, and
many others looking for a small, easy to use, affordable, well valued computer
will find the Mac Mini hard to resist. If you have an extra decent monitor or
KVM switch lying around it won’t cost much to grab one of these.

At first sight it is a thing of beauty, brilliant form indeed. Though it may
be on the lower end of the performance scale, there is a lot for the money.
The video card memory may be a touch low, 64 MB would be better, but it will
do quite well for the vast majority that pick it up. Yes, as stated redundantly,
a RAM upgrade would need to be done for optimal performance.

It is not cheap, it is affordable. The Mini provides a balanced
set of hardware and features and allows to be used as a versatile box.
Wherever you might need a desktop computer with a basic feature set, the Mac
Mini should be considered.

I was at the Apple Store ten minutes too late on Saturday, I shed tears in
the store, needing to use the genius bar as a makeshift physiatrist’s
chaise lounge. No, I’m not one to wake up at the crack of dawn to get in
line. I had the desire to bring home a Mini but now I have chosen the convenient
home delivery method — marketing spin. I currently don’t own a Mac, but
used to and will again soon; a 1.42Ghz Mini should be headed my way in a couple
weeks.

I’m quite skilled on both platforms, a great resume feature, and am comfortable
on both. Os X is just so gorgeous and working with multimedia files is a dream
on the iLife programs. iCal, Address Book, and Mail are top notch back-to-the-basics
programs. It provides a comfortable feeling deep inside, something you can’t
get with the sterile and cluttered Windows programs.

So as I wait to welcome the Mac into my home and sit here looking at my twenty
inch Cinema Display — yes I couldn’t
leave the Apple Store empty handed — join in my anticipation. Do you like the
Mac Mini? Have you said “Mini me”? If you have one and have reviewed
it, post a link. I’d love to read it.