also had to purchase several new hard drives as the older ones were giving up and/or totally maxed out to capacity.

also went through the trauma of upgrading some blogs (curtiscunningham.com and drumgit.com) to the latest wordpress version. they were very old and am surprised they weren’t hacked already.. they’re now upgraded and running from the new VPS. these upgrades should allow me to access them with the new wordpress iPhone app.

I’ve had some folks approach me to do some blog development for them so this more stable environment should help in that respect.

Having had an iTouch for ages now the transition was pretty seamless.. everything just worked.

BUT – my first bill was rushed to me after having the device for less than a week, and it’s asking for over $160, that’s on top of the $300 (+ tax) I had to pay for the device. Shocking. Why do we do this to ourselves?

I’m half tempted to get one of those cheapo sub $50 a month all-you-can-eat pay-as-you-go phones and stick with my iTouch .. but I’ve got about 2-3 more weeks to change my mind on that.

The latest it the iPhone 3.1 software update just came out.. so I like a diligent computer techy downloaded it and pressed the accept/make it so buttons… but it failed to install on my phone, with the following message …

2009-09-17 13:32:44.000 iTunes[77330:20b]: restore library built Sep 3 2009 14:39:53
2009-09-17 13:32:44.000 iTunes[77330:20b]: iTunes: iTunes 9.0
2009-09-17 13:32:44.000 iTunes[77330:20b]: iTunes: Current software version: 7A400
2009-09-17 13:32:44.000 iTunes[77330:20b]: iTunes: Software payload version: 7C144
2009-09-17 13:33:13.000 iTunes[77330:182d3]: iTunes: Specifying Update boot image
2009-09-17 13:33:13.000 iTunes[77330:182d3]: phoning home to gs.apple.com:80
2009-09-17 13:33:13.000 iTunes[77330:182d3]: tss_add_entry: ApECID
2009-09-17 13:33:13.000 iTunes[77330:182d3]: tss_add_entry: ApChipID
2009-09-17 13:33:13.000 iTunes[77330:182d3]: tss_add_entry: ApBoardID
2009-09-17 13:33:13.000 iTunes[77330:182d3]: tss_add_entry: ApProductionMode
2009-09-17 13:33:13.000 iTunes[77330:182d3]: tss_add_entry: ApSecurityDomain
2009-09-17 13:33:13.000 iTunes[77330:182d3]: tss_add_entry: UniqueBuildID
2009-09-17 13:33:13.000 iTunes[77330:182d3]: tss_add_entry: @Locality
2009-09-17 13:33:13.000 iTunes[77330:182d3]: tss_add_entry: RestoreLogo
2009-09-17 13:33:13.000 iTunes[77330:182d3]: tss_add_entry: RestoreDeviceTree
2009-09-17 13:33:13.000 iTunes[77330:182d3]: tss_add_entry: RestoreKernelCache
2009-09-17 13:33:13.000 iTunes[77330:182d3]: tss_add_entry: RestoreRamDisk
2009-09-17 13:33:13.000 iTunes[77330:182d3]: tss_add_entry: iBEC
2009-09-17 13:33:13.000 iTunes[77330:182d3]: tss_add_entry: iBSS
2009-09-17 13:33:13.000 iTunes[77330:182d3]: tss_add_entry: KernelCache
2009-09-17 13:33:13.000 iTunes[77330:182d3]: tss_add_entry: iBoot
2009-09-17 13:33:13.000 iTunes[77330:182d3]: tss_add_entry: BatteryFull
2009-09-17 13:33:13.000 iTunes[77330:182d3]: tss_add_entry: BatteryCharging0
2009-09-17 13:33:13.000 iTunes[77330:182d3]: tss_add_entry: AppleLogo
2009-09-17 13:33:13.000 iTunes[77330:182d3]: tss_add_entry: BatteryCharging1
2009-09-17 13:33:13.000 iTunes[77330:182d3]: tss_add_entry: BatteryLow0
2009-09-17 13:33:13.000 iTunes[77330:182d3]: tss_add_entry: BatteryLow1
2009-09-17 13:33:13.000 iTunes[77330:182d3]: tss_add_entry: BatteryCharging
2009-09-17 13:33:13.000 iTunes[77330:182d3]: tss_add_entry: BatteryPlugin
2009-09-17 13:33:13.000 iTunes[77330:182d3]: tss_add_entry: DeviceTree
2009-09-17 13:33:13.000 iTunes[77330:182d3]: tss_add_entry: LLB
2009-09-17 13:33:13.000 iTunes[77330:182d3]: tss_add_entry: NeedService
2009-09-17 13:33:13.000 iTunes[77330:182d3]: tss_add_entry: RecoveryMode
2009-09-17 13:33:13.000 iTunes[77330:182d3]: AMRSendHttpRequestSync: httpRequest={url = http://gs.apple.com:80/TSS/controller?action=2; request = POST /TSS/controller?action=2 HTTP/1.1}
2009-09-17 13:34:53.000 iTunes[77330:182d3]: [tss] error from server=24 (An internal error occurred.)
2009-09-17 13:34:53.000 iTunes[77330:182d3]: server error (24): An internal error occurred.
2009-09-17 13:34:53.000 iTunes[77330:182d3]: _AMRAuthInstallCopyPreflightOptions: failed to personalize bundle (3124)
2009-09-17 13:35:09.000 iTunes[77330:20b]: iTunes: Restore error 3124

Watch this space for more updates ..

~~~

The latest, a reboot of the iPhone made the update work. It also pointed me at the following URL you might find useful:

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1275

I’ve been holding out for a later rev of the Google Android based G1 from T-Mobile for some time, and given I lost my latest insurance phone yesterday (think I subconsciously got rid of it as I disliked it so much) I decided to go buy the MyTouch 3G today.

Initial impressions ..

1) not as slick as the iTouch.
As expected, the interface didn’t feel as slick. This could be because I’m just used to my iTouch .. we’ll see on this one.

2) Wifi connectivity problems.
This is a serious problem. I’ve had problems all day getting it to connect to my Linksys WRT54GL v1.1 which was set on WEP encryption (I know, not so secure, been meaning to change it for a while). The MyTouch found the network fine, I entered the password, but it would simply NOT connect. On top of that, my 3G coverage appears to be pretty spotty, so for much of the day I’ve played with this thing it’s been really really sluggish.. painfully so. I even upgraded the firmware on the router to see if that would help.

After some Googling I saw many people complaining about wifi connectivity on the MyTouch… and I was pretty unimpressed as I’m using fairly old technology on the router and no device has *ever* had a problem connecting until now. Seems that it has a problem with WEP security! I changed to WPA2 Personal, AES, added new password, and checked my other regular wifi devices could connect and things were working as before. I tried the MyTouch with the reconfigured security, and this time it connected just fine.

So heads up, the new MyTouch 3G doesn’t play well with older WEP security.

~~~~

EDIT: 2009-09-03

After a few days, some more feedback:
- missing hundreds of contacts, also gone from gmail web contacts
- remaining contacts screwed up, missing details
- fave contacts gone missing/unfaved
- web browser slow and clunky
- email very buggy and intermittent, cant find emails showing up in other email clients

The deleted contact thing is an ultimate no no. I’m done, taking it back to the store and getting an iPhone as soon as I get some time.

since my last update, I’ve been contracting, kicking arse on drums, met a lovely new lady, and been best man at my youngest brother’s wedding in ireland.

there. that’s an update.

This is Indy, my pit bull mutt.

Then it dawned on me the other day why she behaves like this. She is unbelievably sensitive to my moods. When I’m engrossed in my own world, annoyed, angry, deep in thought and far away from her.. she feels it, she really does. More so than the cute little furry lovable Gizmo. Or at least, she shows it more.

My two dogs have really grounded me and taught me a lot about myself in the short time we’ve been friends. I know I need them and the lessons I can learn from them as much as they need me.

It’s sad that she could never come to the UK with me even for a visit, as pit bulls (and cross breeds of them, which she is) have been banned as ferocious, uncontrollable killing machines. Seriously. Whoever initiated that law, needs to spend some time with Indy.

~~

Linda Holroyd, CEO, FountainBlue, wrote the posting below. I thought it was sound advice that warranted sharing during these challenging times.

Staying Up When the Market’s Down
FOUNTAINBLUE GROUP NEWS, October 31 – Staying Up When the Market’s Down
By Linda Holroyd, CEO, FountainBlue
http://www.fountainblue.biz

Seasoned executives are used to the ebbs and flows of the valley – the high-highs that makes even nerds giddy, and the deep troughs of emotions and fortunes as the bubbles burst. But this time it’s different – it’s global, it’s personal, it’s pervasive, and it’s IN YOUR FACE. What’s more – it’s an
indication of times to come.

I’m an optimist; I can’t be a successful entrepreneur otherwise. But it’s hard to stay up when the market’s down. Yet, we must all stay up and keep optimistic and hopeful to navigate the troughs together, making the ships sturdier, the channel more protected. Here are some tips for doing so:

1. Know Yourself and Believe in Yourself
Regardless of your personal professional situation right now – as an entrepreneur, as an executive, as someone in transition . . . Take the time to know what you’re good at, what you enjoy doing, and what value you have in the market. Adjust your perceptions of yourself, but always believe in
yourself. If you don’t it’s hard for other people to believe in you.

2. Take Care of Yourself
Many of us are going through uncertain times – whether your funding is unsure, or whether you might be the next layoff victim. Regardless of these external circumstances, be good to yourself – nurture your body, mind and spirit. Make choices that will balance your interests and your needs. Manage
the stress of the uncertainties as best you can.

3. Forgive Yourself
In uncertain times, it’s easy to keep second-guessing yourself, and to berate yourself for past infractions. Remember that successful people focus on the present and the future. They don’t focus on past perceived failures. Instead, they congratulate themselves for making the attempt, and take the lessons with them on the next journey, making them stronger, more versatile and more knowledgeable!

4. Define Your Cause
When you know yourself, take care of yourself and forgive yourself, you’ll have a strong foundation. Next, you have to find the fire burning in your belly. What are you passionate about? How does it relate to what you’re doing now? Or does it?

5. Envision, Plan, Execute
Once you’ve defined your cause, envision where you’d like to go, create a plan for getting there, and execute on that plan.

6. Persevere – It Beats the Alternative
You might have the wrong cause, the wrong vision, the wrong plan. You might even end up worse than you are now. You might have to temporarily give up your dream to deal with practical realities. But persevere. Don’t give up on your dream. Do learn from the course corrections and adjust what you want and how and when you would get there. Just keep pushing the cause, and celebrate any forward momentum.

7. Connect with People Who Make You Stronger
Surround yourself with people who believe in you, and help you to think outside the box. Gravitate to people who are willing to brainstorm with you to mitigate risks rather than shooting down ideas because they are risky. And be more versatile about how others’ style and approaches might
complement your own.

8. Create a Network that Supports All
Create an ecosystem that connects quality people to each other for direct and indirect benefit to all. Hint: People who see a win-win world of abundance are better for your network than people who feel threatened by competitors or people who believe in the value of receiving more than the value of giving.

9. Reach Out for Additional Resources
Don’t expect that you and others in the network will have all you need to succeed, but do plan on how you will get those additional resources and connections to succeed!

10. Keep Growing!
It’s not a destination, it’s a journey. Enjoy the ride. add a comment

Quick list of pertinent links:

• Home of BarCampLA-6.
• BarCampLA twitter search.
• Event pics on flickr.

• iPhone Cost
  The newer, “lower price” 3G iPhone isn’t that at all. A quick Google for stories on the typical cost of running an iPhone (device plus monthly fees over the compulsory 2 year contract) turns up estimates ranging from $1649 through $1936

• iPhone Security Issues
  In May of this year stories emerged that it was possible to retrieve personal information from refurbished iPhones, even ones purchased direct from Apple. To their credit, Apple appear to have fixed this, but it was headline news for a while before they did.
  Currently (August 30th 2008) there’s an issue where anyone can gain access to personal data on an iPhone that has been locked with a code. Seems Apple considers this a trivial issue and are waiting to next month to release a fix. If someone can bypass an important security measure many users want and need, and Apple took the trouble to implement in the first place, is that a trivial security issue? Someone needs to explain this to me, because I don’t see it that way.

• Developer Frustration
  I’ve read a lot of stories of willing developers of iPhone applications having a hard time overall.

• The Competition
  Google Android. Demo here. There’s the Open Handset Alliance, an organization setup in support of this platform, and there are many companies signed up. This looks like it’s going to be a great platform, with lots of support and available on lots of different hardware.

• iPod Touch Upgrades
  The iPod Touch is a great device, but currently very overpriced. There are many rumors floating around the net that iPod upgrades are imminent, including GPS integration into the Touch, a feature I could really use.

The most damning issue to date is the blog story from a friend of mine about his experiences dealing with a lost/stolen iPhone. He’s been unable to get any love from Apple or AT&T like blocking the phone, brick it, tracking it down using GPS, or anything much really. So his iPhone is out there with all his personal and corporate information (email, etc.) still alive (it’s been used to check his personal voicemail since being lost) and Apple and AT&T don’t appear to be giving much of a sh*t about this fact.

The combination of a new iPod Touch (with GPS) and waiting for a Google Android phone seems to be the mix that suits me best, and gives me the most freedom.

We has attached photo of your fume.”

Indy .. check. Gizmo.. check. No other babies I know about. Must be spam.

~~~

Follow up, quick google turned up the following virus notifications about the virus payload.

I’ve had a lot of kind words, compliments, and encouragement from friends and family members that I’ve sat down and talked over my feelings on the subject.

Part of me is yelling grow up. Many other parts of me are yelling things like – I’ve invested 20+ years in this and countless hours honing the art. This is an art, which requires discipline. One will hit walls with anything practiced to a high level. I’ve clearly hit a complete bitch of a plateau.. am I going to knuckle down and work through it, or will I just bail and be a quitter?

To paraphrase the great Randy Pausch Last Lecture, walls are there for us to prove how bad we want it, and to keep out the undeserving folk who aren’t prepared to make the effort.

With that thought in mind, it’s obvious I must approach it differently. I need to give it the respect it deserves. Also I must make very conscious choices in how I spend my time playing alone, and put more thought into who I play with so I’m always moving forward. i.e. aim to play with folks out of my league as much as possible, to keep me growing.

Off topic, but related – I’ve had a really annoying cyst/lump on the back of my left hand for about 9 months and it’s not going away. It’s painful to do things like pushups, and it will be aggravated with prolonged drumming. I’d hope the break would give it a chance to subside, but it hasn’t. I’ve seen a hand specialist about it and he said they can aspirate it to remove it. I’ve booked an appointment for Monday morning to have that done. Ok, nuff gory stuff.

So.. yesterday I called my teacher and booked a lesson for a couple weeks time. That cranks things up a notch. I’ll also need to focus on getting my playing together to hit up some jam sessions.