craighally blog
Aspens and evergreens. Deer Valley, Ut.
An electric trials bike, called Gas Gas? Interesting. But oooh… something powerful enough that I could ride? Oooh. This might be a nice compliment to the little electric Razor bikes we have for the kids. 
Maybe with this I could finally learn how to do a wheelie.
If you like the irony of a motorcycle maker named “Gas Gas” building an electric trials bike, then you may also appreciate video of said bike celebrating silence in Spain’s Valle del Silencio (Valley of Silence).
Since joining Google in 2010, we have been creating editing magic in Google products while continuing to keep Picnik awesome. But now we get to focus on even awesomer things. Picnik will be closing on April 19, 2012.
Oh, bummer! I always thought Picnik was so cool, and even used it from time to time when I had an image already online that I wanted to edit quickly. It was a very innovative service back when it launched in 2007.
I’m curious to see what becomes of it once it’s been fully sucked in to Google+. It would be a shame if they limited it, or made it so you can only edit photos that you’ve put on Google+.
Picnik Blog » Blog Archive » Official Announcement: Picnik is closing
I haven’t read the whole article, but this Gizmodo coverage offers some good snippets. I’m sure speculation over what really happens inside Apple is good fodder for urban legend. I see visions of Jobs sitting on a throne as droves of UI designers present their work, only to be flogged and ridiculed for not doing something that aligned with his vision.
Here is a good one…
According to a participant in the meeting, Jobs walked in, clad in his trademark black mock turtleneck and blue jeans, clasped his hands together and asked a simple question: “Can anyone tell me what MobileMe is supposed to do?” Having received a satisfactory answer, he continued, “So why the fuck doesn’t it do that?”
For the next half-hour Jobs berated the group. “You’ve tarnished Apple’s reputation,” he told them. “You should hate each other for having let each other down.”
Sounds like a fun place to work. Ok, so the boss is a little tough. But working there for say, the past 10 years, as it’s success has quickly climbed, I’m sure wouldn’t been pretty amazing. I mean, what’s not to like? Aside from the great benefits, the sky rocketing stock price, the successful after successful product launch, being the envy of the tech industry, how bad could it be?
Another good snippet…
The whole company is basically built on that sort of clear accountability. They even have a term so everyone knows who’s responsible for what: ‘DRI’ which stands for “Directly Responsible Individual”.
DRIs? I thought everything there had to go through Jobs. So, isn’t he really the only DRI? Makes you wonder about the balance of empowerment vs. oversight. If he claims to appoint other DRIs, why does it seem Jobs gets credit for everything? Don’t the DRIs deserve some recognition? Perhaps you never hear about them because they don’t exist… unless something goes wrong, then Jobs has someone to rip in to. Convenient.
On Gizmodo: Fortune’s “Inside Apple” Shows Apple’s Inner Workings
After really enjoying our dirt bikes for a few years, last summer we decided to invest more in our new hobby and took a leap in getting something the whole family would enjoy… a camper trailer!
We shopped around for a few months, and finally decided on a used 2007 Redline 230FSE Toy Hauler. It was big enough to hold the toys (and then some), plus sleep the whole family (and then some), and had some nice comforts.
One important factor was finding something that we could actually tow. I wasn’t going to go buy a new vehicle with a big tow capacity, so I was limited by what my 2003 Expedition 5.4 Triton could handle… 8900 lbs. (weight distributed). The trailer’s Dry Weight is 5,505 lbs., so as long as I didn’t max out the cargo and fill up the water tanks, the truck could handle it (though just barely). The trailer’s Gross Weight is 9,995 lbs.
Here is what the floor plan looks like:
And the promotional blurb:
Rear Ramp Door to 8 Ft. 11 In. Toy Parking Space, Queen Loft or Opt. Queen Electric Bunks, 2 Sofa Sleepers w/Table Between, Refrig./Pantry, 3 Burner Range, Wardrobe, Double Kitchen Sink, Tub/Shower, Lav., Front Queen Bed w/Nightstand, Pass-Thru Storage, Flip-Up TV Shelf & Much More
It’s been sitting covered in storage now for 6 months. We can hardly wait to take it out again. Hopefully Mother Nature will be kind this summer and give us lots of sunny weekends.
For more info on the trailer, here is a page a specs I put together: 2007-Redline-230FSE.doc
And a .pdf I found from Fleetwood on the Redline series: 2007_RL_sp.pdf
Ah shucks, it does sadden me so to see Apple get in trouble… over anything really. It’s kind of a nice relief to see something negative associated with them, since their name usually goes along with nothing more than glowing product reviews, astounding financial reports, and “gee, aren’t they awesome” blog articles.
An excerpt from the article:
Much of the concern about the iPhone and iPad tracking stems from the fact the computers are logging users’ physical coordinates without users knowing it — and that that information is then stored in an unencrypted form that would be easy for a hacker or a suspicious spouse or a law enforcement officer to find without a warrant.
Ok, I know I’m being super petty and showing blatant jealousy over the usual glow Apple gets. But hey, I’m one of the underdogs. Aren’t we entitled to a little jealousy, and the occasional satisfying smirk when the big guy gets a thorn?
Apple slammed over iPhone, iPad location tracking – Yahoo! News
I’ve never been a huge Ducati fan. Well, I always admired them for their power and aggressive design, but since I’m not much of a crotch rocket guy, I never gave them much thought.
This changed though recently after visiting a local Ducati dealership (I was there ordering a part for my Yamaha WR250R). I came upon a brand new Multistrada 1200 S, and wow, it stopped me in my tracks.
I stood there staring at it, and suddenly it occurred to me… Holy crap this bike is beautiful! It resonates with that wanna-be touring bike enthusiast suppressed inside of me. It looks powerful and aggressive, yet comfortable and refined. It’s a beautiful merging of art and machine.
Until I saw this bike, I always lusted for the BMW F 800 GS. Now I have a new object of desire. Just what I needed. At $20K, I don’t think I’ll have one of these to call my own any time soon.
This app is VERY freakin’ cool. Can’t wait till it comes out for Windows Phone. Meanwhile, I might need to dust off my old iPhone so I can give it a whirl.
Introducing Microsoft Photosynth
Microsoft releases Photosynth panorama iPhone app | The Microsoft Blog – seattlepi.com
This is pretty cool, and kinda’ funny. I’m not surprised it’s a Frenchman who is extending a virtual world to paint a “real” picture of war. That is, since historically the French haven’t exactly been in the center of modern combat.
Many of the “photos” are actually quite powerful. It’s a testament to the game creators and artists, who have managed to make what is arguably the most realistic and compelling 1st person war game in the history of video games.
(I)… took pictures of them from a close point of view, and then further away. I busted these synthetic faces looking for a light. A trouble remains present. All the elements of the reality of war are here…
“Photos” Use Call of Duty Videogames To Capture The Ravages of Modern War | Co.Design#
I love the Sonos system. I’ve been drooling over them since I first played with it at CES in the mid-2000’s. Sonos has historically been so iOS focused in terms of Mobile integration. Just take a look at this huge banner on their home page… it’s all about iOS and (now) Android:
If I see more apps and (any) accessories for WP, it’ll certainly be more ammunition drawing me closer to getting a system. Perhaps if the base system was less expensive I’d be all over it right now. 
Who says that you can’t get a beautiful, ultra-thin, and high performing laptop for the Windows platform? Kudos to Samsung for busting this one out.
I am writing these words on an extremely thin and stylish, but very light, laptop made of metal. Despite its slender body, it has a full-size screen and keyboard, good performance and claims strong battery life… You might assume I’m using one of Apple‘s alluring MacBook Air machines… But you’d be wrong. Instead, I’m using the first real Windows-based competitor to the Air.
Here is a shot of the MacBook (left) side-by-side with the Samsung Series 9.
Despite it’s nice, super-thin design, too bad (according to Walt) that it’s battery life doesn’t quite hold up to the MacBook. And the fact that it’s even a bit more expensive isn’t going to persuade would-be Mac buyers from buying it as an alternative.
Walt Mossberg: Samsung’s Series 9 Is a Solid, Beautiful, but Pricey MacBook Air Competitor – WSJ.com
Speaking of sexy, thin laptops… one has to mention the Dell Adamo XPS. Which, when it came out in 2009, was one of the coolest laptops on the market. Unfortunately, Dell had planned only a limited run (to test the market?), and given its very steep price (~$1,700), it’s no wonder it didn’t last long. I just wish they had continued to refine it and make it cheaper rather than cancelling.
Unknown Feed- Facebook Syndication Error May 27, 2012
