A Very Varner Christmas!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Elin found PhotoBooth . . . .

Windows 7 . . . Microsoft's not so secret weapon.

Apple, better look out. A post Gates MS is going to be dangerous. Case in point - Windows 7.

For years Apple has mocked MS for copying their OS ideas. Most of these are related to the user interface, and honestly Apple has typically been in the lead in the traditional mouse and keyboard based space. However Windows 7 is going to put Apple behind the eight-ball.

Cleverly MS has used PDC put Windows 7 in the hands of the press. Now, whatever Apple Demos - at Macworld will look like a copy of 7.

MS clearly will revolutionize windows managment wiht the gestures coming in 7. I have been playing with them, and wow - do simplify things. The tile and maximize edge responce is also a dramatic move forward. They are excellent.

I got all giddy when I thought of these things coupled with Max OS X's Expose - and then I realized this: If Apple doesn't want to be the copy cat (pun intended) they will have to do better than this - and that will be hard.

Apple - this time you may have been outwitted by MS.

Why I'm not voting for Obama

In my last post I lamented the fall of Conservatism. So with the title of this post and the content of my previous post I bet you think you are going to get a good dose of classic right-wing talk. Not exactly. Part of my effort to build a new attractive conservatism is coupled with my research into culture, who makes it, how its formed, etc. As a Christian - I have been taking these findings and crossing them with what the Bible presents in terms of making culture. Throw in an election and you get a real mess. Surprisingly, enough the Focus on the Family letter from 2012 gave me the mental clarity to get it all out. However, I want to be clear, I am not affirming the letter nor am I condemning it. It is extreme in its premise, but presents some real possibilities (maybe in 20 years not 4) based on real trends that one should consider. The following is coming from a Christian point of view.

The fall of conservatism.

This election will mark the beginning of the end for conservatism. Look at the signs:

1.) A Country that looks to and depends on the federal government rather than the state and local governments.
2.) A societal mind-set that is relativistic.
3.) An economy that is moving toward socialism.
4.) An elite group (wealthy & educated, communicating how they "think it should be") ruling the working class (in debt, under educated, frustrated that "it isn't how it should be.")

Get off your duff and contact your Representatives

Today, I wrote my US representative and my 2 Senators urging them to vote against any bill that "invests" in failing financial companies.

I don't say this proudly (ok maybe I do). But I'm really tired or arm chair politicians and their complaining.

All three representatives have contact forms on their websites and I imagine nearly every representative has one. I urge you all to contact them also. For those in Ohio I have included the links for Brown's and Voinovich's sites.

Please take 5 minutes to make contact. It doesn't do us any good to complain from a far.

Please note this is not targeted to anyone receiving this as backlash for something else. I just feel very strongly about this and need to share it. The links are below:

Senator Voinovich

Senator Brown

For those in ohio 16th:
Congressman Regula

Mowed the lawn

I have just finished mowing the lawn. Not something revolutionary, except for this: when I mow I get the feeling that I should be doing something else. However, I am not ambitious enough to really make my time more valuable. So I mow and think about things like this.

First post from iPod touch

Well I wonder if I will blog more now that I have the wordpress app on my itouch. I guess we will find out. One thing is for sure, my use of the English langaige won't be getting better.

Grrr . . . Wall Street

Apple sells all kinds of product - has a great quarter and the stock goes down!?

So who you going to vote for Jim?

I make no bones about it - I'm a Christian.  Do live a sinless life?  No.  However, I try to get closer to Jesus and God through the power of the Holy Spirit.  I think I'm just as much a Christian as any devote Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, etc. (excuse me if I left out your denomination).

Dr. James Dobson infuriates me when he begins to talk about politics.  Read my latest reason why!

First off, I am not going to vote for Obama - for this reason - I don't believe that government is good at solving social problems.  I believe it is my job to be active in helping "the least of these." Just voting to for someone who wants to in enact social programs is a cop out.  Christians are commanded to actively minister in these ways on their own effort - not through the guise of government.

Now this brings me to the James Dobson article.  Dobson - who has already stated he wouldn't be voting for McCain has now begun to attack Obama, only to make himself and conservative Christians look foolish.  By pulling excepts of a 2006 Obama speech, all Dobson has done is proven Obama's points 1.) Some "rules" of the Bible seems silly in today's context.  2.) Christians need to do a better job of communicating about Christianity to today's culture.  Dobson in his critique proved Obama's points.

Jim - Please go do an intensive study in sharing one's faith in today's global culture before you open your mouth next time and speak about politics.  I'm tired of removing your foot from my mouth while talking to those I'm trying to witness to when politics come up.  Better yet - please stick to what you do best - which is telling me how to focus on my family (for which you have really blessed my life and helped with my parenting techniques).

It was time to change my underwear . . . .

so I decided to change jobs. Again. Ack! This is a habit I'm neither happy about or looking to support. More after the break . . .

Check out www.newsofthegeek.com . . .

New podcast from Marc and me. It is a bit rough - but it will get better.

Doug

A New Level of Geek

Yesterday I added a new feature to the site . . . check out the right and you can see the Doug Cam.

A couple of things to point out:  I work in the basement (again) however, it is really the best "office" I have ever been in.  The desk is really nice and the I have a window and door.

Why am I doing this?  Well, I'm not sure.  But I enjoy being a geek and so this is fun for me.

Whew it was only an iMac.

Just bought a macbook - and now the Apple Store is down . . .

If they are realeasing a new one - we are taking it back. Ack!

BEST. iPOD. EVER.

I spent some of my Christmas and Birthday money to replace various Palm OS based devices with and iPod Touch. WOW. It is the best device I have ever used for this type of information.

There are some things I want to see and most can be solved with unsupported 3rd party applications. I'm waiting for the SDK to come before I pass too much judgment. Here is my list (after the break)

Elin's B-Day and a SteveNote at MacWorld. I'm so excited.

Today could arguably be the best best day of the young 2008. Today is Elin's 2nd Birthday. 2 Years ago our family's world was forever changed by her. It took us down a different path and has really shown us life differently. Praise be to God for her and the work he will do through her.

Oh yeah and it is the day of the Keynote at MacWorld! I love this day.

Check out Engadgets coverage after the break.