Apple's Mighty Mouse Goes Wireless (Finally)

But the scroll ball's still too small. The price doesn't seem too bad, at sixty-nine bucks, but I believe Logitech has a gaggle of mice that run circles around the Mighty Mouse.

Patrick To Join Andretti Green Racing

NASCAR will have to wait. That's the word out of Danica Patrick's camp. The 24 year-old racing phenom has signed a new contract with Andretti Green Racing that'll see her continue racing open wheel IndyCars.

Instead of opting to compete in the world's most popular racing series (NASCAR), in front of packed houses and massive television audiences no less, Patrick chose to exercise her talents in the more obscure Indy Racing League.

Can't say I blame her. The IRL racing schedule is but a third of NASCAR's. That equates to a lot more time off a year to actually enjoy the spoils of her racing, marketing and modeling income. While she could certainly have earned a larger payday in NASCAR, how much money does one really require? Kudos to Ms. Patrick for choosing quality over quantity.

Bengals Tix; Apple & Palm

I finally found something my Apple PowerBook doesn't do well: mate with a Palm Treo. Despite what I wrote in January, my simple Windows Smartphone no longer met my needs, so I opted for a Treo 650 (to enable e-mail in the field).

To be fair, the two may have mated well if I hadn't installed a Windows-based voice recognition program on the Treo prior to configuring the Treo to work with the Mac. But the Treo's working beautifully with Windows. It's just that I'm not much enamored with my boring Compaq Presario. My beautiful and sleek aluminum clad Mac sits alongside it, taunting the Compaq all day ("I'm faster than you," "I'm better looking," "My keys offer a better tactile response than yours," "I manage memory better," and "I have integrated Bluetooth.").

It was that last one, the integrated Bluetooth, that gave me the drive to try connecting the two. Let's just say one hosed Entourage install (and that's a Microsoft issue) and one locked up Treo later, I gave up. If I ever do a factory reset on the Palm I'll try it again. For now I'll stick with the antiquated USB cord to connect the Palm to my Compaq.

In other news, I secured tickets to the Bengals' home opener today. Can you say "Who Dey?"

Logitech Mice Rock

I've used lots of computer mice over the years. The old one-button mice, the fancy two-button jobs, even the ultra swanky Mighty Mouse (which, incidentally, I didn't like - I found the roller ball way too small).

For years I standardized on Microsoft's two-button scroll-wheel Intellimouse. But then I discovered the optical Intellimouse Explorer, which I loved.

Finally, I graduated to wireless mice. Desiring a wireless keyboard, I purchased a Logitech keyboard/mouse desktop set. Simply outstanding. The keyboard died long ago, but I still love the Logitech Cordless Click! Plus optical mouse. I use it every day.

Just today I received a new Logitech cordless mouse (for use with my laptop). This time I chose Logitech's MX 610 Laser Cordless Mouse. It's simply remarkable. The device fits the hand well, feels natural, emits a pleasant blue light when I have new e-mail waiting, and is incredibly responsive and accurate. I highly recommend it. Treat yourself.

Apple Profits Surge 47.5%

Apple Computer announced its quarterly earnings today. The news? Profits are up almost 48%. Revenue increased 24%. That's incredible. While strong iPod sales didn't hurt (they rose by 30%), much of the credit is due to the company's outstanding new MacIntel machines. Mac computer sales are up 12%.

Meanwhile, how are Windows systems selling? Windows computer manufacturers are lowering prices to try and lure buyers. While Windows PC sales are forecast to grow 11%, they're now being outstripped (on a percentage basis) by Mac sales (which grew at 12% for Apple).

I suspect the trend will continue, as Windows vendors will have nothing new to tout in the all important fourth quarter. Microsoft won't have Windows Vista ready at retail. While many big box electronics stores and manufacturers will likely offer upgrade vouchers at Christmas, what would you rather have? I revolutionary and rock-solid new PC that boasts state-of-the-art award-winning design and functionality or a piece of paper good for a complex upgrade a few months down the road?

My First Bootcamp Install

I completed my first Macintosh Bootcamp installation today. The process, like most I associate with Apple technologies, was simple and smooth.

A friend bought his new MacBook Pro by, and after a quick trip to CompUSA to pick up a copy of Microsoft Office and Microsoft Windows XP, we went to work. And, it was a pleasure. He loaded this box to the hilt. Top of the line MacBook Pro. Two gigs of RAM, power windows and locks, smoothglide transmission; this model has it all! To top it off, we killed some Goose Island Summer Ale as we worked.

First I ensured my buddy's MacBook Pro had the lastest version of OS X installed (it did). Next I reviewed whether his firmware was up to date. I downloaded a recent firmware patch (2 MB), loaded it, and then I downloaded Bootcamp (a relatively small file at just under 90 MB).

Next I executed the Bootcamp program, which essentially walked me through the configuration. The first task Bootcamp had me complete was burning drivers and information it supplied to a blank CD. Next I resized (partitioned) the hard disk to make room for the new Windows installation. Essentially you just specify how much hard disk space you wish to dedicate to Windows XP.

Bootcamp then asks for the Windows XP CD (you must use a full version of either XP Home with SP2 or XP Professional with SP2). Upon inserting the XP CD-ROM, the Windows install begins just as if you were sitting at an Intel PC, which, in essence, you are when you install XP on the new Intel-powered Macs.

When Windows Setup completes, you just load the drivers CD you created, click Setup and the Apple installer completes the dual-boot configuration for you. Rebooting the PC takes you into whichever OS you operated last. To change the operating system Apple boots, just hold the Option key when you hear the Mac's "bong" startup sound. A menu will appear with two hard disk images; one is labeled Macintosh OS and the others reads Windows. Select your choice using the arrow keys and press Enter to boot that operating system.

TikiBar's Lala Powers Rocketboom To New Heights!

Rocketboom's reaching for the stratosphere. Just days after imploding and foundering upon the rocks, with many leaving it for dead, the popular video blog stunned audience members everywhere with one of the grooviest, most creative episodes ever.

Rocketboom set a new standard today when host Joanne Colan was joined by none other than Tiki Bar TV's Doctor, Johnny Johnny and Lala. Lala! On Rocketboom!

Tiki Bar TV, of course, is nothing but THE best video blog on the Internet. What a first Friday installment for Ms. Colan.

Did I see it coming? Maybe. Check out my several days' old post on a colleague's Web site.

I could not be happier. Long live Casual Friday!

Louisville Locks Petrino With 10-Year Deal?

Will the University of Louisville's new $25-million, 10-year contract signed by head football coach Bobby Petrino and announced today put an end to the Never Ending Bobby Petrino Job Search?

Probably not. After all, we're talking about a guy that went right out and interviewed with LSU immediately after locking up a previous new contract with Louisville. Then, after saying Louisville was his town, Mr. Petrino went and interviewed with the Oakland Raiders. All this after having been caught lying about interviewing for the Auburn job earlier.

I think Mr. Petrino's an excellent football coach. I don't believe the Cardinals could have recruited a more talented candidate. But, unfortunately, I don't believe the new contract will eliminate Petrino's flirtation with a head coaching job in the NFL. All the new contract does, with its $1-million buyout clause (reportedly included at the behest of Petrino), is make it more expensive for whichever NFL team chases Petrino next.

That said, I hope he stays. He's committed to winning a National Championship in Louisville. Here's hoping he gets the job done.

Rocketboom 2.0: Worth The Wait

Amanda who?

Just caught the first new episode of the Rocketboom 2.0 beta. Joanne Colan proves a fresh and spritely replacement for Ms. Congdon.

I must say I'm surprised. With some of the seemingly bad blood that's been bandied about, Colan serves admirably. The crew even chose an intriguing and timely topic, the fellow who, through a series of trades, exchanged a red paper clip for a house.

Well done!

Rocketboom Flatlines

Without Amanda Congdon, the site's come to a standstill. Despite promises of new episodes with a replacement host, there's nothing but a silly clip that's supposedly the first episode that never aired. Give it a look and you'll understand why.

New episodes are surely just around the corner, but the unplanned disruption just confirms my earlier point (Amanda Congdon, for better or worse, was so closely tied to the video blog that she is/was Rocketboom).

Rocketboom Misses Deadline

An inauspicious start, apparently, is in order for Rocketboom 2.0. Today the site anounced a new episode was forthcoming, but it never arrived. The new installment's badly needed, as the site's essentially been dead air the past week (among the worst sins a media property can commit).

Andrew Baron's apparently tapping former MTV Europe VJ Joanna Colan to replace Amanda Congdon. I've never heard of Colan, but that's not saying much, as I'd never heard of Congdon before I discovered Rocketboom within Apple iTunes' Podcasting menus.

Meanwhile, there's still no word where Congdon may turn up next.

Hopefully all will turn out well for everyone involved (Baron, Colan and Congdon).

Time For A New Mac?

I've been thinking about upgrading the family PC. I keep four systems for my businesses, but I resurrected the Pogo for the wife and kids to use (yes, after my heartfelt goodbye the Pogo's once again back in the land of the living!). While I'd like to order one of the new 19" iMacs, I'd probably end up buying a Mac Mini. As the Pogo's proven it's not dead yet, I can't justify either, however.

For now the 1GHz Athlon system is more than adequate for surfing PBSKids.org, sending e-mail and looking up recipes. When the time arrives, I'll likely go with a Mac Mini. With the new Intel chip, I suspect Bootcamp would do well running Windows Vista. Time will tell.

Rocketboom Minus Amanda

Andrew Baron, I fear, is overestimating Rocketboom's media value minus Amanda Congdon. I was surprised to hear she's leaving the popular video blog. I understand, and respect, the investment Baron's made in building Rocketboom, but I sense Rocketboom's personality was too closely tied to Amanda.

Who else might dance with the same unique and zesty flair Ms. Congdon exhibits? Who else possesses the same endearing affectations?

I could be wrong. After Hal Sparks left Talk Soup I thought the show was as good as baked. Yet it continues plodding on years after, so what do I know?

Godspeed Amanda. And good luck, Mr. Baron.