ok - i love technology and so much so i probably dont admit it enough!!!!!

i have way too many ideas and trying to figure out an empowering context that ties together all the technologies I am inspired to evaluate - why? is the question! regardless - I am making a list - if you want to help me evaluate these technologies, I am sure we can sit down, have a conversation for possibility and discuss vision.

it all comes together and that includes us humans :)

current

see pages tagged eval - http://chinarut.wikispaces.com/tag/view/eval

queue (not now)

1. Personal Brain - v4 (new version, now avail on Mac OS X)
   • BrainEKP - ask for support... data source integration
2. iChat AV - Skype video over P2P is great overseas...
3. iMovie - takes something to get used to a new interface - need context! :)
4. iPhone SDK
5. Remember The Milk

NVDN

1. Business Card Composer
2. Mind Node
3. Together

on hold

1. Second Life - not gaining momentum for me yet. virtual Tokyo catches my interest...
2. iWork - client-side apps seem to have just died for me!
   • Pages
   • Numbers - eval common Excel use cases (esp AutoFilter!)
   • Keynote - eval common Powerpoint use cases
3. Powerpoint - in favor of Google Presentations and support for concurrent collaboration
4. VMWare Fusion - Parallels Desktop user now...
5. mindmapper
   1. Free Mind
   2. Mind Manager
      • Gyronix Results Manager
   3. mind42.com
6. Joost - at first glance, seems to be a very well done client with quality programming... [ref:MB]
7. smartsheet.com
8. dejavu.com - hosted Trac/SVN
9. Flock

curious

1. Meet-Me - Japan's response to Second Life (see article)
   • Virtual Tokyo may be a great way to get acquainted with Tokyo.
   • Q: do you get to own virtual land where you actually have rights to land in Tokyo?!?
   • if someone can log in and tell me about this world, I'd like to hear from you!
2. VoIP
   • GroovyTel - `Gizmo is just an option similarly you can route your number on FWD, MSN, Google Talk and Yahoo Messenger.`
   • http://www.voipdiscount.com (DH)
   • Jangl.com (discovered via Phonebook in facebook) (won't allow you to attach it to a Gizmo #) (VoIP?)
3. Mission Control Outlook Add-in (verify it actually exists)
4. Time Capsule
5. Bento (FileMaker reinvented in the context of Leopard...see what is possible - just get inspired - no purpose needed!)

to explore further

• Parallels Desktop - get Outlook and sync with Dopod D810 - get Mission Control Vivid Display syncing!

MacUpdate

ok - i did it - I shelled out for the MacUpdate promo bundle. discount on Parallels Desktop is what did it. other apps to eval

utilities

1. MenuCalendarClock (19.95) - this one I like! i'm always clicking the menu bar to see what day it is!
2. Leap (59) - "combination Spotlight, Bridge, Finder, and more." I am finding Spotlight a bit deficient indeed in the area of data search. That's why I just installed Google Desktop which isn't too bad on first try!
3. Hazel (21.95) - I'm one for process this might actually come in useful for automating the repetitive "housecleaning" tasks on my mac.
   • move .dmgs out of Downloads

apps

1. Neon Tango (24.95) - hey this wasn't featured! a decent game goes well in my book! will have to give it a spin..
2. StoryMill (44.95) - perhaps something to play with. The official page has someone recommending Scrivener instead.
3. Art Text (39.95) - this might be useful for logo design. I never cease to be amazed with our Dance Labs logo - thx Joy! :)
4. BannerZest ($49) - only gripe is no flash support on iPhone so hesitant to invest time in this route - perhaps this is just for practical purposes
5. DVDRemaster Pro (49.99) - I assuming when I want my movies on the go on my iPhone this is when it will come useful!

value proposition not clear

1. Sound Studio (79.95) - there is some freeware editor out there somewhere....I haven't even fully vested time into Garage Band to create my first podcast!
2. Typinator (29.99) - umm...and how is this different from what IE and Firefox already try to do with text boxes?!? this sounds useless!

iPhone

• VNSea - http://www.iphoneatlas.com/2007/12/17/native-vnc-remote-macpc-control-for-the-iphone-now-usable/

non-technology

• Yoga Elements
• Dance Centre
• Salsa Hacha

• salt water flush (ES)
• 10 day fast with maple syrup, lemon, cheyenne (ES)

integration

this combo is a hefty penny - try not to think about it too too much! (contrast to actual Apple-centric Toolbox)

purchased

• Windows (XP or Vista - TBD)
• Parallels Desktop
• macbook (or purchase 12k ASUS Eee!)
• GTD Add-in

no charge

• Skype (macbook and dopod)
• (wikispaces.com (private, non-public version))

not purchased

• Microsoft Office (including Powerpoint and Outlook)
• Microsoft Project
• PMP (yes, get accredited!)
• Microsoft Groove
• Mind Manager 7
• (Mission Control Add-in)
• Dopod D810 (Windows Mobile)
• Results Manager
• (Sharepoint)

died

• Q - just couldn't get it to work

eval via others

1. MacBook Air - Edward
2. Eee - John (I have one too)
3. iPhone - Pierre (many others too!)