Why a kindle 2 would improve my life.

The amazing thing i have found with the Kindle is how much faster i am able to read a book.

With normal paper books it takes me forever to get through them. Although i read pretty fast on a per page basis, there is something about real books that makes me get distracted. With the kindle i really get lost into the book.

The Kindle 2 will let be read faster and more since i will always have my full library of books with me.

If you want to get a free kindle check out this Free kindle2 contest and interesting blog.

flocking

I am giving the Flock web browser a try.

So far, i guess i just don't get it.

It says it helps to link you into all your social sites (facebook, blogger, ect...)

But it isn't very elegant.  I just don't see how it is actually useful.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Kindling

I finally decided to buy a Kindle. The ebook reading device that amazon put out about 6 months ago. I have to say i love the things and it is pretty much always by my side now.

Now i will first say that i DO NOT recommend buying a Kindle at retail price. I was lucky and found a used Kindle for 50% off on Craigslist, which is about the right price. Otherwise you end up spening $400 to read books. Honesly you could just spend that $400 on REAL books and quickly build a very respectable library.

Anyways here are the pros and cons i have found

PRO:

The screen is just amazing, sure it is black and white, but it is so crisp and clear it looks like something printed on paper.

Always on internet accsses has already ended many a bar room argument.

I can now twitter from anywhere for free!

CON:

I can now twitter from anywhere for free!

Not sure how comfortable i am with buying so many books from amazon

eBooks are a bit more resitrictive then real books

In the end i do really like it. It is pretty much always with me which has resulted in a nice increase in reading. It also appears that i read significantly faster on it.

If you read a lot, and can find one for a good price then go for it. Otherwise wait for a cheaper one to come out.

Stumbling

I just finished Stumbling on Happiness. The book is either the most depressing thing i have ever read, or the most uplifting. It pretty much says how our brains work to keep us both miserable and happy all at the same time.

you can check out a talk the author gave at TED

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/97

New Firefox beta makes me think about switching

I have been a faithful Safari user since i switched to mac.  For me i found safari to just be more integrated and just a little faster then Firefox on the Mac platform.  That might have just changes.

It is obvious that Mozilla has put a lot of time into the Mac Firefox and i just might switch.

Grab the new beta here

Ghosts are amazing

If you are reading this, please stop right now and go download the latest from Nine Inch Nails.

Nine Inch Nails - Ghosts

You won't regret it.

Portland is #1 Green City, not sure why i am surprised...

Now I am sure this list of America's Greenest Cities has all sorts of methodological issues.

Since I do live in Portland, I am actually a little surprised since I can see all the ways it isn't green.  So many cars, so much waste, so much more could be done to help make the city more sustainable.

But it is still fun to be #1

America's 50 Greenest Cities