2006 – Page 2 – Lefthandedlayup

Early Morning Mobile Exchange Thoughts

Things I have to do with Mobile Exchange.

Organize the posts: At the moment I just slap on post after gadget post, with no real rhyme or reason. This is primarily because many of the Press Releases I’ve got are somewhat incomplete, so I can’t do a “Sony Ericsson’s lineup for 2006” series of posts, or a “Business Phones” post, featuring all the business phones from all major brands. I’ve been asking for all the press releases from every PR I’ve ever dealt with, but what’s holding me back is that sometimes I’m a little shy when I tell them it’s not for one of the traditional publications I write for, which leads me to #2:
Continue reading Early Morning Mobile Exchange Thoughts

Microsoft Vista Launch Is Good For Your Health

Or mine, at least.

See, if there’s anything i like about hotels, it’s the bathtub and hot / cold water galore. And Thu night at the MS Vista launch, whilst all the other press dudes were revelling (or what little revelry they could find) in Tagaytay, I was soaking my ~~old~~, tired, aching, and supremely pained self in my room at Taal Vista care of Microsoft, no less. I dunno which was better, the terrific hot soak or the fact its paid for by MS. It just feels extra cool and everything that way.

At any rate, believe me the fact that gout is described as ‘excruciating’ and ‘numbing’ pain in medical websites is not an accident. The pain is hard to describe, its almost… spiritual, if there’s ever a word for it. I’ve dislocated my elbow, gotten banged up in all sorts of creative ways and even passed kidney stones, but this one is especially different because it is just so unrelenting, never allowing you a moment’s rest. Even sleep, the age old remedy, is not enough. This thing will wake you up to remind you it’s there. In the wee hours of the morning when you feel most helpless and least able to bear it, there it is, saying ‘hello!’ and ‘would you like some more?’.

Continue reading Microsoft Vista Launch Is Good For Your Health

And now the fun begins

Just around an hour ago, the whole of Philippine Tech Press-dom has been lit up with news of Microsoft’s Press Launch of Windows Vista and Office 2007, which is finally launching next year.

I got my invite and the requisite assignment to cover it, and – well – I’m excited.

You’ve just gotta hand it to MS Philippines and their PR for knowing how to drum up excitement with their events. This isn’t some ho-hum fancy dress lunch in a posh hotel. This is an overnight gig, out of town.

Continue reading And now the fun begins

Ouch and Argh Day

I’ve cancelled my planned trips today because I’m going through a gout attack, something I go through around once a year and let me tell you right now, it is so fucking PAINFUL, but I cannot do much other than bear it and take allopurinol. I try not to be a pill – popper, so I’ve only taken a painkiller once today and I’m trying to avoid taking another one although I’m tempted.

Sometimes (and I think I thought this the last time this happened to me), I wanna just make a small incision on my left big toe where the pain is, thinking maybe the blood in that area contains all the toxins so my body can get rid of all of it in one go, but lacking any medical proof this might work its probably a bad idea. And besides, cutting up my toe might lead to a wound that might even get an infection, considering my foot would need to heal while its inside a dark, damp shoe.

So ok scratch that I think I talked my way out of it. But I just have to do something.

Continue reading Ouch and Argh Day

Announcing: Mobile.Exchange.Ph

The latest in a series of Exchanges, Mobile Exchange, is the first daily blog – magazine featuring the latest developments in the Philippine mobile gadget scene.

Everyday, Mobile Exchange will feature a gadget, accessory, service, tips, reviews, video or event, ranging from Cellphones, PDAs, Software, Laptops, Desktops, and varied other devices. All posts include hi-res pictures and complete descriptions. Sponsors will provide where these can be bought and prevailing prices.

Mobile Exchange’s aim is to become the main source of information about gadgets and devices. Our goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the often confusing world of consumer technology.

Visit Mobile Exchange Philippines. You can subscribe to get daily updates by entering your email address here:

or via syndication.

To contact Exchange.ph, email Ghmercado at gmail dot com.

Review of Casino Royale

Of all the James Bond books, Casino Royale happened to be the first one I read when I was in high school. I remember it was a boring summer, and after watching one of Roger Moore‘s outings (which I remember to be Moonraker), I wanted more. I also remember choosing it because it was the first of the series, and besides it wasn’t thick enough to overwhelm me.

Imagine my surprise then, when instead of the rather comical, space age type story I was expecting, I instead got a very intense, very serious story about a secret agent whom, while passionate about his work, was conflicted between it and the mutual attraction developing between him and British Treasury official Vesper Lynd. Deciding to pursue a quiet life with Lynd, a twist evolves when Lynd admits she is a double agent and commits suicide in order to spare him, leaving a note assuring him of her love. Bond is hurt and humiliated, but reveals later still his genuine feelings for her.

Read the rest of my review of Casino Royale at Movie Exchange.

Casino Royale

Continue reading Casino Royale

Of Aggregators and Unique Content

Over the past two weeks, I’ve noticed two new websites that siphon posts off of Ballex and Kikay. This site: http://skincare.simra.net/, which got RubyG’s post on Skin Food, and this site: http://basketball.sports-guru.com, which gets almost all of the posts off of Ballex.

These sites are called aggregators, which live off of content from different sites, and make it their own.

Now, let’s analyze that statement for a moment. First, the site has to a. Live off of content from different sites. That’s easy enough, with aggregating scripts and RSS. The fact I allow syndication means it’s ok with me that other people cite my websites. That’s the way the internet is and to disallow that is stupid. If you think about it, it actually helps the sites get even more popular, so that’s cool.

Continue reading Of Aggregators and Unique Content

Open Source is Good. To a Point.

Erwin Oliva wrote today about how an RP Software Association opposes the Open Source Bill, here.

I expect a great deal of mud slinging to start from either side. What would be good though, is for both to start stating examples of either’s strengths, instead of long winded statements heavy on hypothesis, such as “…imposing restrictions (on graduates) on what kind of training can be offered defies all logic and reason” and “As an industry association, we encourage the fostering of forward-thinking innovation and creativity — necessary characteristics of a healthy software industry and essential pillars of the ‘FLY HIGH 2010’ software industry targets.”

Continue reading Open Source is Good. To a Point.

My Neighbors

For some odd reason I want to write about my neighbors.

To the right of our house (if you come out of the gate), are the Schellekens, featuring M and B, whom like many of the residents of our village, are retirees, and are both pushing the latter part of 70, I think.

To the left, and downhill from us, are George’s family (sorry I forgot his surname), who are probably around my age or older, but are pensioners of a sort due to a terrible plane crash the OFW husband (George) suffered in 2003 while in Dubai, and is currently recuperating from. And from which, I believe their income is derived, after having noticed, nosy as I am, that neither of them are employed inspite of their numerous material accoutrements.

Theirs is a Wikipedia – worthy story, believe me, which if I would tackle writing if I had the time, and or any other such excuse that I am capable, believe me, of making. At some point however, I believe I likely will.

Continue reading My Neighbors