tech ronin

I Support Commenter's Rights and run TypePad Connect

I'm running TypePad Connect on all my blogs now. This is a brand new thing and is still in Beta but the basics seem to work. It makes the comments on my blogs more like a forum. The software is new and I'm just learning but soon we'll have threaded comments here. And commenters will be able to have profiles which they can embellish with a photo or an avatar and they can provide information about themselves there as well.

This enhanced commenting system recognizes and elevates the commenters among us to the important community members we've always been. And supports our status with our own profile pages and linkages to all our comments made on a blog enhanced with TypePad Connect. The technology makes it easier for commenters to interact with each other.

We already had two good commenting systems out there - IntenseDebate and Disqus. I have been interested in them because they allow a *commenter* to have a page where, in theory, all his or her comments can be found even though they may be spread out over many diverse blogs. The problem is that most blogs don't use these systems so only blogs that support them capture your comments. You can see my Disqus comments here.

As someone who posts a comment now and then, the advantage to you is that if the blog has one of these new powerful commenting systems and you've registered with them, you can easily keep track of the conversations you've participated in and go back and see how things are going. You may have posted a question but don't remember where so can't easily go back and find out if an answer got posted in response.

TypePad Connect is meant to compete with Disqus and IntenseDebate and runs not just on TypePad but also works with WordPress, Blogger, Movable Type and Tumblr. That's helpful. Ideally, these competing commenting systems will make themselves communicate so that you can see, for example, my Disqus comments on my TypePad Connect page. When that gets sorted, nirvana will be near.

Now your comments here and on my other blogs can be managed in such a way that they will all link to a page for you. Should you choose to register with TypePad Connect. I hope you do. You will be able to embellish your comments page with a photo or description. Also, readers will be able to drill into the comments of any registered user and see all of them.

I believe that comments made on blogs are content that deserves attention just like the blog post itself. Twitter's microblogging has borne that out. I've always wanted to be able to read more comments from the same person who made an interesting comment to begin with. You can do that by clicking on the icon for the comment in any blog post. Enjoy.

P.S. This feature is brand new and may be a little rough around the edges the first few weeks.

2nd Gen MacBook Air SSD, 10 days in

I couldn't be happier with my new MacBook Air. It is unimaginably small and light. I saw it, I picked it up at the store many times. I knew intellectually it was light and thin but that didn't really sink in until I had it on my lap for the first time. Now, this is a laptop!

I got the SSD model for $2400 on Amazon. That was approximately $700 extra to get the SSD instead of 4200 rpm 1.8 inch hard drive model. I can't really tell you how much the SSD is helping but I can say that I get all the speed I want with this model. I don't and haven't thought, maybe I should use my 2 year-old MacBook Pro or 2.8 ghz iMac because I need more speed.

I bought the USB to ethernet adapter which is still awaiting a reason to be. I figured I will need it occasionally where wi-fi isn't available. I didn't buy the external DVD drive. I have an iMac with a good drive and the remote feature works perfectly. Downloads will suit the vast majority of my needs.

The Gen 2 MacBook Air SSD is what I was hoping for and more. I'm thinking this is my 90% time computer. The iMac is going to be for when I need lots of screen real estate and to keep my connection to the many hard drives I've got hooked up there. My MacBook Pro is an extra machine and is serving well while I get the data I want over the Air which I chose to build from scratch rather than transfer apps and data from my MBP.

I do a morning walk of about 1-1/2 miles to my local coffee place and I've always wanted to be able to carry a notebook. I tried taking my Powerbook 15 a shorter distance a few years ago and my back gave out after about a week. Finally, I'm testing the dream again. I've brought the Air with me every day for 10 days with nary a twinge. I got a light neoprene case (incase) for protection and carry it in a super light knapsack. These together only weigh a pound. I'm doing just fine with my 4 lb pack.

The MacBook Air is the Ergonomic King for sure. You can have it on your lap, stomach, knee - whereever. Moving it as you shift positions. All those easy options means that I don't get stiff or sore because I'm mobile while working. I'm not used to this level of comfort in my heavy-computer use.

Even in this bad, bad economy, the Air makes sense. For some people, the netbook might work. For me and I think many others, the access to a full-size keyboard, full-strength computing and 13 inch screen in a tiny 3 lb package is all the computer they need. I can't get what I want done with a Netbook. And, I don't want to try. My iPhone will handle the little stuff.

If you are an active knowledge-worker, you owe it to yourself to try one of these out next time you even think you might want a new computer. My days of lugging around a heavy notebook are over. My back is going to love me!