Revisiting SDK Predictions
Before Macworld, I had predicted that Steve would demonstrate during the keynote how the distribution of third party applications would work. Although the SDK was mentioned, it was not specifically explained until a press event on March 6. I thought it would be interesting to compare my predictions to how the distribution will actually work. I first predicted that applications would be distributed through the Wi-Fi Store. This is essentially what happened, with the future addition of the App Store.
I also created an image of one of the menus for the store, which is quite similar to the one previewed.
I touched upon how updating would work. Here’s the prediction…
“With native applications there needs to be a way for applications to be updated automatically. So, we looked at what we’ve done with updating third-party content in the past, and we noticed that this is exactly what we do with podcasts. People can simply submit a URL to iTunes for their podcasts, and podcasts are automatically updated every time an iTunes user syncs their iPod. This is exactly what we’re going to do with applications.”
This is very similar to what will happen with the App Store. Steve explained how updates will occur through the store, over the air and completely automatically.
Overall, I’m very satisfied with how close my predictions were in terms of the SDK. I can’t wait for the June software update and all the great third party applications that will follow in its wake.
Welcome Back to Mac OS X
I just tore apart my computer, ripped out my old 160 GB hard drive, and replaced it with a spacious 320 GB hard drive. I formatted it and restored from my latest Time Machine backup (from January 12 at 9:36 PM), and viola! I have escaped from Vista and I’m back in the comforting arms of Mac OS X. I have a lot of work to do to get back up to date, but it’s good to be home.
If I’ve learned anything from this experience, it’s that when my computer warns me that I haven’t backed up in ten days, I should listen.
Hard Drive Failure
I was at a tournament when all of a sudden, I got the spinning wheel. I tried to force quit, but the whole computer seemed to be frozen. When I restarted the computer, it failed to recognize my hard drive as a mountable drive.
My last backup was the last day before I left for San Francisco, so a couple weeks of lost data isn’t as bad as it could have been. I’ve found backups of the pictures and videos I took while in San Francisco, so it seems like I haven’t lost any irreplaceable data. I guess I’ll just have to deal with my workflow being disrupted until I get a new hard drive.
I have three things to be thankful for. First, I’m going to get a larger capacity hard drive to replace the old one. Also, I’m glad I use Time Machine. Most of all, I’m glad this didn’t happen to me in San Francisco.
My iPod Concept is Recognized
The concept mockup that I made for a touch screen iPod before the iPod touch was revealed has been ranked 5th (at this point) on the list of the “best apple concept mockups.” Here is the concept mockup.
2007 MSWDA Website Entry
My entry for the Maine Student Web Design Awards 2007 is a horse farm website for the Sunset View Horse Farm. This is the first submission that isn’t a puzzle website, but I think it will have a good chance of being successful. The website isn’t anywhere near completion, but a very incomplete version of it can be seen at http://www.sunsetviewhorsefarm.com/.
Sudoku Source Awarded!
My recently created website, Sudoku Source, won second place for high school students in the MSWDA competition (Maine Student Web Design Awards). This website was a follow up last year’s success, Rubik Online. Sudoku Source was a guide to Sudoku puzzles, similar to how Rubik Online was a guide to solving Rubik’s Cubes.
Rubik Online Awarded!
I recently made a website for the Maine Student Web Design Awards. It won Second Place Overall for Middle School websites. My website is Rubik Online, and it’s all about the Rubik’s Cube and how to solve it. Also, I finally got high-speed internet. I have speeds right now of about 445 KB/sec…not too bad, eh?
Welcome!
This is the personal website of Neil Pomerleau, who is a computer geek, a website designer, and an addict of the television show “Lost.” Oh yeah, and I can solve a Rubik’s cube.