Red's Place

I'm in the market for a connected PDA. Connected means one that is also a phone, so it can use wireless data. However one requirement is that it links to my office calendar, so I can be alerted to appointments, and basically, only have one diary instead of two. This means it has to have Lotus Notes (ver 7) compatibility. So the Nokia 9300i looks fantastic. I call up my network (Orange) data support line today to be told they have no plans to support it, but call again. Arrgh. I could get it unconnected, but then its a pain to get support if things don't work, as my experience with a fairly cheap normal phone and photo messaging + data has found. Arrghh. I'll guess I'll end up with one eventually, somehow!

I could go with a Microsoft Smartphone or PocketPC based device, such as the Orange M5000 but its huge, as large as one of the small sony Vaio laptops. I could get a non keyboard device, such as the M600 which is a great size, but then I'm not a fan of using touchscreens/styluses. I used a Palm III for a long time, and liked it, but eventually stopped using it when I wanted to do email on it, and I carry a work laptop anyway.

I'd be really happy if the Nokia was quad band, but Nokia are dragging their heels on this. (Note, not 3G). I would go for a 3G connected PDA from Nokia, but there isn't one?! What is that all about!?

Have a good weekend all.

Ok, so the new season of Dr Who started back at Easter. Like last year I wasn't too impressed, having absolutely loved the show when I was a little 'un. I thought it was just me being older, but then after a bit of googling I thought it was probably Billie Piper, mostly because of the 'ex-pop-star' effect.

However now I seriously believe I do not like the new writer, Russell T Davies. His storylines are not Dr Who stories, don't fit the franchise quite right. Most people who seem to like the new series had never really watched the original few series. Wonder what Terry Nation would have thought, or Davros? :)

Its unknown if the BBC has individuals writing scripts, or writing teams as used in the USA. In writing teams the person with the most ideas that creates a plot is the one who is credited.

However last years season did have the fantastic two parter "The empty child" which was brilliant, so good that people were talking about it at work days later. The title credited these episodes not to Russell like all the others, but to a known writer, Stephen Moffatt.

Tonights episode was also written by Stephen. It was brilliant, and not predictable. The story wasn't "talking down" to adults to be kid friendly, but was a good drama story. Apparently Mr Moffatt was the writer behind the early 90s kids hit Press Gang, and he wrote the popular series Coupling.

However I believe he has the understanding of what makes a good Who story, don't get distracted by the Sci-Fi, write a very good drama, and keep people guessing, don't make it predictable. Russell Davies may have convinced the BBC management that Dr Who needed to return, but Stephen Moffatt will keep the viewers entertained. Mr Moffatt deserves the higher salary. I wonder if Stephen was a Dr Who fan, and remembers the Kaleds, Skaro and the "Genesis of the Daleks"??

Now I wonder how Joss Whedon would write Dr Who. Probably wouldn't get it right, being a USer and not a UKer, but it would be interesting.

Interesting article from the NYT on changes in TV, from a US viewpoint.

Also Phut reminded me about the Palm Treo, running either PalmOS or WindowsMobile. I should look at, but I still reckon the Nokia guys have the edge, one reason being the simple cover for the screen, like a laptop!

Then this is your ideal location for your world headquarters fantastic site!

Oh, in case you weren't sure, New Zealand is not for sale.

Like the TV series, yes, I remember it existing, but I never watched it. Oops.

Yes, I'm 31 today, and that's why the weather was crap all weekend, sorry all. It should start getting better in about a week's time.

Apologies to anyone who thought I should be:

a) an expert in my field - er no
b) married, or at least coupled - er no
c) good at some sport - er no
d) have a proper house - er no

so how the F can I be thirty-something?! Oh bollocks, I've messed that up too.
Love is a temple
Love is a shrine
Buy some love at the five and dime
A little bit of love from the counter store
Get it on the credit if you need some more

Cause I'm much too tall
To feel that small - yeah

(with apologies to annie lennox)

Aieee!!!!

Ok, so the politicians decided to announce that we were heading for a major water problem and one company managed to get a drought order, last week. So the weekend was a damp squib, actually, for May, it was a February weekend. Today has been worse, its been a deluge, and its still going. According to the forecast we are having a deluge all week. Typical bloody politicians. Spoil our summer why don't you!!

Saw The Da Vinci Code movie on the weekend. Over complex plot, but fairly good really, but no spoilers here :)

In other news, my Nokia 9300i arrived over the weekend. Its pretty cool, and does what I want. Now to find out if I want to buy any software for it, as there are thousands to chose from, its insane. Shame I can't get a blackberry connection from my company, as it does that well.

Oh Lever has posted some cool stuff over the weekend, worth checking out.