umijin's Profile

  • Jul 13, 2005
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Latest comments made by: umijin

  • Ummm.... I think this is divergence - where the same structure is used for more than one purpose. Homologous characteristics. Convergence is when very different evolutionary lines converge on the same characteristic because it is useful. For example - streamlined shape in sharks, penguins, & tuna. Or wings in insects, birds, & bats. Analogous characteristics. Anyway... interesting article other than the ... analogy... er... homology.
    umijin had this to say on May 20, 2005 Posts: 8
    Is the XBOX Going to Replace Your Mac?
  • Sorry, but Steve J only did this for the PR - OK sheepsters?
    umijin had this to say on Mar 16, 2005 Posts: 8
    One Dollar Is Why We Love Apple
  • My favorite free app records internet radio streams to mp3 format - RadioRecorder (http://u1.netgate.net/~snowcat/) Although it only works on streamed audio (unlike some other pay-for apps that take any sound source), it fits my needs perfectly. There was a pretty good article on Gnu license free software in the last (or next to last) MacAddict. And another site I found via MacWorld mag: has some free (and inexpensive software) on a site recently moved to futurosity.com: [url=http://www.futurosity.com/?c=Handpicked+Software]http://www.futurosity.com/?c=Handpicked+Software[/url] PS: Cyberduck Rocks :-)
    umijin had this to say on Feb 21, 2005 Posts: 8
    The Beauty of Free
  • Hell yeah, RADIO. I dunno why Apple is behind the ball, but maybe demand isn't there? Equalizer would be great too, but they could compromise by allowing you to load your custom equalizer settings from iTunes onto your iPod. Sports iPod? Well, the shuffle may fit that bill. Except that its lack of screen make's it tough to actually navigate. But given the shuffle's sales, maybe most people don't care. And flash is much better for sports than HD based. Except for gapless play, most of what you want is already in mp3 players by other manufacturers. My 2 year old RioSport does all of this, except for equalizer.
    umijin had this to say on Feb 01, 2005 Posts: 8
    4 Wishes for the gen 5 iPod
  • The Apple Japan store is pretty good, except they are not good at posting prices for new products on sale. However, I can't say that these stores give you a consistent experience. The Apple Store in Honolulu was horrible - both its size, product selection, and staff. Maybe the Honolulu store is part of their mini store concept, but that doesn't excuse the attitude I received when I walked in the door during my October visit. Apple should really close that outlet or fire the staff.
    umijin had this to say on Jan 31, 2005 Posts: 8
    The Genius of Apple Stores
  • I dunno, today's bloated apps are starting to bog down my 1.3ghz g4 powerbook. Office components like PowerPoint seem to struggle at times, and the one RPG I play doesn't like my G4 (or the graphics chip). And getting any decent performance out of Virtual PC is a pipe dream on my g4... Maybe it's Micro$oft's fault...
    umijin had this to say on Jan 27, 2005 Posts: 8
    PowerBook G5: Held up By the Sleekness Factor?
  • I've been a dedicated Mac user since.... 1988 maybe... So this is not a rant from a jealous nay-saying PC user. Apple's offerings today on the whole are disappointing, with possible exception of the miniMac. iLife2? Yawn... Then again I don't use iLife1 very much except iTunes. iWork? Yawn... Office is a standard still, and vital for cross platform interactions (a reality - like it or not). Macmini... Good potential, but what use is it with iLife2 (or iLife1) if there is no friggin' audio in port? Hello?! Garage Band?! iShuffle??! - Puh-leeze! What a waste of hype and potential. No friggin' screen? No control of what to download? This shuffle thing is a feature on most mp3 players I've seen. This is not a competitive product I'm afraid - poor in features. Its only plus is that it plays iTunes store offerings. Where are the G5 PowerBooks? Was there even a speed bump line released? Apple is falling behind in power user expectations... I'm sorry - but the computer savvy public is starting to see that the emperor has no clothes. Apple better stop wasting money and effort on lawsuits vs. rumor sites and focus on real innovations.
    umijin had this to say on Jan 11, 2005 Posts: 8
    The Year of Automated Apple
  • Anyone who pays full retail price or even half price for thise should have his head examined and spending privileges revoked. As a product, they are interesting to some, though their utility is debatable. The mark-up on this thing is a sad joke Apple is playing on us. Unfortunately, there are always idiots who buy this kind of thing. Here in Japan where people are wont to pay lots of money for things of perceived style (but little real value), it was notable that nobody was buying the iSucks from the Apple store in Tokyo on January 2 - (one of the biggest retail days in Japan) - at least in the hour I was in the store. The iSocks displays were undisturbed as far as I can tell. And if Japanese people aren't buying them - that tells you something. Bah humbug...
    umijin had this to say on Jan 02, 2005 Posts: 8
    Apple is Laughing at You: The iPod Sock