The Net Monkey

[This article has been retroactively posted from an old version of this site.]

Happy birthday to me!

Sorry about no update yesterday.

While driving around on Sunday we stopped and tooks pictures of Apple’s headquarters at 1 Infinite Loop in Cupertino. A security guard approached us and told us to stop taking pictures because aparently Mr. Jobs sees it as a security risk when people are taking pictures of their buildings from far away. The guy had the gaul to mention September 11 as a reason for it, as if Apple would be a target for a terrorist attack.

We also stopped and smelled the ocean at Half Boon Bay. (Smells like fish!) Got some great photos there.

We eventually wound up in San Francisco and saw a few sites there. Got some great views of the Golden Gate Bridge and checked out the Palace of Fine Arts, which was absolutely beautiful.

Yesterday was the MacWorld keynote speech given by Steve Jobs. They demonstrating some software, specifically Adobe Photoshop for OS X. It looks really good. We also heard from the company that makes Mathematica and that seems like a cool program. Aspyr Media was there showing us their new Harry Potter game.

Steve Jobs introduced a few products. The first was software called iPhoto that allows you to import your pictures from a digital camera, catalog them, print them, publish them to the web, and even order a bound book (which you layout using the software) of your pictures. Very cool.

At the end of the show, Steve introduced the new iMac. They really souped it up this time. They added a G4 processor, nVidia graphics, a flat panel LCD screen, and a SuperDrive. They really went all out. I think the design of this computer is amazing!

We were also blessed with a new 14-inch iBook. They were only 12-inch previously. They lowered the price of the low-end model, which is very attractive. I think I might buy one.

After the MacWorld keynote I spent my afternoon at the Metreon, which is this mall-like building that Sony built. I got some Padd Thai at this noodle shop, played video games for two hours, watch Vanilla Sky, and played more video games in the PlayStation store.

After the Metreon, I met up with my friend Matt S. who had dinner with me at a pub. We hung out and talked about nerdly things. I spilled someone’s beer because they had it right next to my elbow. Unfortunately, no one cried over it.

My friend Jason S. is meeting me this afternoon. We’re going to hang out and do whatever. Tonight will be spent in San Jose with dinner out and a bar/pub afterwards. It is my birthday so I feel like partying.