Apple Does it Again

Steve Jobs gave 3,500+ attendees at Apple's WWDC 2004 an eye-popping preview of the next major OS X release, version 10.4 "Tiger". A streaming video of the presentation can be found here here (highly recommended).



I've only been a Mac user since late September 2003, and I'm stunned at what the Windows user community is missing. Apple is really pushing the innovation envelope. Examples include:

• Incorporating new Spotlight search technology throughout the OS, making it incredibly easy to find your files.
• Revamping the the AOL IM-compatible IChat AV to allow videoconferencing with up to three other people.
• Significantly improving Safari with the ability to receive and aggregate RSS news feeds.

A more comprehensive feature overview can be found here.



The new OS X release is not without controversy. The Dashboard widget-based feature is very similar to a product offered by Konfabulator. Accordingly, the Konfabulator folks are making fun of Apple's sloganeering at WWDC 2004. "Redmond, start your photocopiers" has become "Cupertino, start your photocopiers." Turnabout is fair play, I suppose.

Iraq is Sovereign

It happened two days early to thwart any attempt by enemy insurgents to derail the process.



More great progress by the Bush-led coalition.



Here is Condi Rice's note to the President, and his handwritten comment:

The "Roe" Effect

Writing for OpinionJournal.com, Larry Eastland attempts to quantify what James Taranto ("Best of the Web", also on Opinionjournal) refers to as the "Roe Effect." An interesting analysis on how abortion "rights" have hurt the Democrats:

Abortion has caused missing Democrats--and missing liberals. For advocates so fundamentally committed to changing the face of conservative America, liberals have been remarkably blind to the fact that every day the abortions they advocate dramatically decrease their power to do so. Imagine the number of followers that their abortion policies eliminate who, over the next several decades, would have emerged as the new liberal thinkers, voters, adherents, fund-raisers and workers for their cause.

The analysis is fairly detailed, and definitely worth the time to review.

Pundit Slams 9/11 Commission

The master of his craft, Mark Steyn tackles the failures of the 9/11 commission.

Ah, sunset...

Time to hit the books.

Initial Redesign Complete

I think you'll find this easier to read. Check out the comment functionality and let me know what you think!

The Big Update

I haven't been posting much because I've been debating what to do with this blog. There's a huge backstory to this, but here is the super-truncated version:



On September 19, 2003, I was laid off after 10 1/2 years of working for the same global management and information technology consulting firm. I greeted the news stoically, but inside I was gleeful. You see, around April 2003, I had decided I was going to leave later in the year anyway. I had finally decided, after much prayer and reflection, to answer God's call to attend seminary. This is where the backstory could get massive, but suffice it to say that this is something that's been in my head for over 16 years now. The layoff was, in my opinion, a huge door opening on a new life in service to the Church.



Since the layoff, I've been busily preparing for this new life. I have applied and been accepted to Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and I'll be moving to Austin, Texas in mid-August. I'm entering the Master of Divinity program, and, God willing, if I complete the program and pass my ordination exams, I will be ultimately become an ordained Minister of the Word and Sacrament. The time off has been a real blessing, and I've enjoyed more time for preparation, prayer, and rest. To anyone who may be reading: Please take time for yourself! And no, I'm not talking about the two-week vacation you take each summer. Try a year off. You'll be amazed at how unstructured time can rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit.



Anyway, back to the original topic. What to do with this blog? I realize that I'm a pretty conservative person, politically, and I don't think that will ever change. But I think the focus of this blog must change to reflect a new reality. Political topics will always be important to me, but I think many of my future posts will try to weave together the threads of faith and public life. I'll develop these threads more frequently in the months and years ahead.



I also want this to be a forum for sharing my experiences at the seminary. Additionally, the good folks at Blogger have made several substantial improvements to their software, and I want to be able to implement some of these here at :: What Next? :: You will soon see a total redesign of the site, including the ability for you, dear reader, to share your comments with me.



This entry is being written on Day 1 of my eight-week move plan. Check back again soon for the new site design and functionality.



Peace.