I 'heart' NY

by Anand Lal Shimpi on March 9, 2004 3:57 PM EST
While most people dread it, I do appreciate driving in New York City. In any other city, the sort of aggressive driving that occurs within the city would most definitely result in every driver getting into an accident; in NYC, everything magically works out. Although the drivers are completely discourteous (especially the cabbies), they will not run into you. They are all (for the most part), paying attention to what is going on around them and although you may come dangerously close to an accident - you will not end up in one. This is more than I can say for driving in virtually any other city I've been in, including Raleigh where I spend most of my driving life. In Raleigh, I'd argue that driving is much more dangerous than in NYC because the people who would be too afraid to drive in NYC are just fine behind the wheel in Raleigh. While they have no problems exhibiting some of the traffic law violations that an NYC driver would, Raleigh drivers will not hesitate to hit you with their vehicle. Maybe that's what we need to do to make driving safer for everyone: make the careless drivers too afraid to get behind the wheel. Since my idea of better driver's education doesn't seem to be going anywhere, maybe it's time for more drastic measures :)

Given my praise for NYC drivers, I will whole heartedly agree that the system is flawed. Veteran NYC drivers are not nice to one another, thus every driver is concerned with one thing alone: getting to where he/she wants to go. Because of the way the drivers think they are obviously not looking out for other drivers, so you can give up any hopes of being let in front of someone, resulting in a perpetuation of the aggressive "every man for himself" driving mentality. Another side effect of this isolationist view on driving is that the pedestrians are scared to death, which also means that they have a constant hate and lack of respect for the drivers. In turn, this makes the drivers hate the pedestrians - and the perpetuation continues. What is the result of this?

Pedestrians cross the street when they shouldn't be, thus angering drivers. Drivers then attempt to do the same to pedestrians, thus angering the pedestrians. Both parties are at fault, but it's one of those issues where both parties are at fault for the escalating tensions with no clear end in sight (Israel v Palestine anyone?).

I do enjoy NYC, but I am definitely glad to be out of there. I can stay in New Haven for a week in a much nicer hotel than I can for one weekend in the city, for a cheaper price. There is a lot of life in NYC but it is a very expensive life to live. I've always said that it's a wonderful place to visit, but I just couldn't live there. Everything else aside: I enjoy driving too much to move to NYC :)

I'm in New Haven now and believe it or not, I'm thankful to be here - it's a lot more relaxing than NYC. Vinney has class all this week (my Spring Break) so I mostly hang around her room, get work done and do her laundry while she's in class (you know it's gotta be love when you'll willingly offer to do her laundry :)...). I definitely don't fit in on Yale's campus; people look at me strange and generally speaking, I'm fairly uncomfortable here. It's a good thing I don't go here :)

It's snowing outside right now but it's not cold enough for the snow to stick, so your feet feel like its raining while your eyes get to enjoy the beauty of snowfall. That being said, I've appreciated the beauty and now want my convertible weather back. Luckily, Vinney's Spring Break starts when mine ends so she'll be driving back down with me to (hopefully) warmer climates.

I've been doing a lot of work on trying to organize the staff a bit better; the goal is to be able to provide new and interesting things to read every day of the 7 day week. I guess my question to is: would you read content posted on Saturdays and Sundays? Historically most readers don't visit on weekends, but it's also a Catch-22 because if there's nothing to read on weekends then no one would visit on weekends. It's an idea that I'm toying with and it's something that I'd like to move ahead with (weekend articles) but I'd like to get some feedback.

...or if you don't have any feedback on that but there's something else you'd like to see, the lines are open - let me know. This is your site as much as it is mine so let me know what you want.

Vinney is about to get out of class and I've got a load of laundry to pop in the dryer, take care :)
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  • Anonymous - Monday, March 15, 2004 - link

    Apple releases Mac OS X Server v10.3.3
    By Peter Cohen pcohen@maccentral.com
    March 15, 2004 5:50 pm ET
    Along with the update to Mac OS X v10.3.3, Apple has released an update to Mac OS X Server to bring it up to v10.3.3 also. The software can be installed either by using Software Update or through the use of a standalone installer; the standalone installer was not available as MacCentral posted this article but presumably will be soon, since it's referenced in Apple's documentation.


  • Anonymous - Monday, March 15, 2004 - link

    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=257...
  • Anonymous - Monday, March 15, 2004 - link


    Some of the enhancements
    Networking and .Mac enhancements


    Addresses issues, such as a lost network connection, that could occur when connecting to a network device that forces the network speed and/or duplex setting (known as a "locked" device).
    AppleTalk Browsing is now on by default.
    Resolves an issue in which name conflicts could occur among Network Service Entities.
    Available servers can be seen when browsing Windows Workgroups or Domains.
    Enhancements to /Network browsing include: Servers appear on the desktop and in Finder window Sidebars, AFP Authentication options are available, and you can disconnect a server by dragging its icon on the desktop to the Trash or by clicking the Eject icon in the Sidebar.
    Improves synchronization between .Mac and your computer.
    .Mac no longer attempts to automatically sync files over a wireless network (or "hotspot") before the computer is authorized to use the network.
    Enhances an Open directory plug-in, which is used in network environments: The Active Directory plug-in is no longer sensitive to the case of the domain; the plug-in now works in ".local" domain environments; the plug-in is now less sensitive to DNS records that don't have matching reverse lookup.
    Improves compatibility with certain third-party wireless networking PC cards, such as the Honda AH-G10. More...

    Enhances the IrDA menu item when IrDA networking is active.
    Finder and applications that allow you to browse the file system will now refresh the contents of a remote network volume's folder or directory when the folder's contents change.


    DVD Player enhancements

    DVD Player will no longer quit if an unsupported PCI video card is installed in your computer. More...
    DVD Player supports more DVD video discs that are designed to play automatically.
    Improved DVD playback when "Digital Audio Output" is selected in DVD Player preferences.
    DVD Player now recognizes and plays DVD+R media.


    Application enhancements


    Images retain their characteristics when you import them in iPhoto. More...
    Addresses an issue in which Mail could unexpectedly quit when marking some types of unsolicited messages (or "spam") as Junk.
    Addresses issues that may cause Address Book and other applications to unexpectedly quit if the Classic Mac OS fonts are disabled in Font Book.
    Text shadow opacity and color are saved in RTF documents and preserved when you copy or paste.

    Image Capture can now import files whose names begins with an underscore character ("_") .


    Finder enhancements


    Improves security by requiring an administrator to authenticate for each Finder action that needs authentication, such as installing software. In earlier Mac OS X Panther versions, an administrator who authenticated may have unknowingly given elevated priviledges to the non-admin user for 5 minutes. This change also prevents a normal user from performing administrator actions if an administrator user has authenticated during their session.
    When you use an Open menu command to choose a file in Finder or an application, the flashing button now says "Choose" instead of "Open".
    Addresses an issue in which Finder unexpectedly quits if the View menu option "Show icon preview" is enabled while dragging a significant number of icons to another location.



    Other enhancements


    Improvements in start up time that some computers experienced under some installations of Mac OS X 10.3.2 Update. More...
    Improves print operations when a pending print jobs is moved to the queue of a printer that has different capabilities. More...
    Improves recognition of Hi-Speed USB devices by PowerBook G4 and iBook G4 computers when woken from sleep.
    A UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) panel is available in Energy Saver preferences, as well as a UPS menu bar item, when a UPS power management system is connected to the computer. Overall support for UPS systems is improved.
    Improves display of text when printing a document that contains two-byte PostScript CID or OpenType fonts.
    Improves compatibility for USB Overdrive: Addresses an issue in which the Media Eject and volume keys may not work if an early version was installed. More...

    Improves Fan Control system function for Power Mac G5 computers.

    Includes Bluetooth 1.5, which supports Bluetooth-enabled headsets with iChat AV, and adds the ability to print to compatible Bluetooth-enabled printers.

    Adds support for the latest mLAN devices. First-generation mLAN devices require a firmware update for compatibility with v10.3.3. Please visit (http://www.mLANcentral.com) for complete details and access to available firmware updates.
  • Anonymous - Monday, March 15, 2004 - link

    Apple releases Mac OS X v10.3.3
    By Peter Cohen pcohen@maccentral.com
    March 15, 2004 5:15 pm ET
    Apple on Monday released Mac OS X v10.3.3, the latest update to their "Panther" operating system. You can download it using the Software Update system preference pane.

    Specific changes in Mac OS X v10.3.3 include the ability to see network volumes both in the Finder sidebar and on the Desktop; improved filesharing and directory services for Mac (through AFP), Unix (through NFS) and PC (through SMB/CIFS) networks; improved PostScript and USB-based printing; updated Disk Utility, DVD Player, Image Capture, Mail and Safari applications; additional support for FireWire and USB devices; improved compatibility with third-party applications; and the incorporation of previous standalone security updates and Bluetooth Update 1.5, if you've not already updated your system.

    Apple has outlined the myriad enhancements in place for Mac OS X v10.3.3 in an online document. Major highlights of the release include improved .Mac synchronization, better support for third-party wireless networking PC cards, improved DVD playback when "Digital Audio Output" is selected, the ability to recognize and play DVD+R media using DVD Player, a fix for an unexpected quit problem using Apple's Mail application, the addition of a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) panel in Energy Saver preferences, improved Fan Control system function for Power Mac G5s, and much more -- visit Apple's Web site for more details.

    Apple indicated that the 10.3.3 update is available as a standalone installer Downloads Web site, but when MacCentral checked as we posted this article, the update was not yet available.


  • Illuminati - Monday, March 15, 2004 - link

    I think the primary reason you mainly have readers Monday - Friday is because that is when people are at work (or school) and are in front of their computers working. When they need a break from concentrating, they come here :).

    Hence, on the weekends, most people tend to avoid their computers.
  • Cliff - Sunday, March 14, 2004 - link

    maybe anand got lost in the washing machine
  • Anonymous - Saturday, March 13, 2004 - link

    Saturday March 13, 2004 03:39 PM EST
    Posted by arn


    Apple has seeded Mac OS X 10.3.3 (7F43) to developers yesterday.

    Major areas of change include Core OS, Carbon, Cocoa, Graphics and Imaginge, High Level ToolBox, Printing and USB.

    Various fixes include:

    - Prebinding performance fix
    - Directory Services in large Active Directory installations performance improved
    - NFS automounter now maintains connections in use
    - Network browsing servers now mount on the Desktop and Sidebar
    - AFP Authentication options are again available (Keychain for AFP now works again)
    - Many other fixes
  • Anonymous - Saturday, March 13, 2004 - link

    Where Anand been lately. Last he posted he was doing his girlfriends laundry. She must have been saving up a semester's worth of it. I just hoping he does not have to iron all of it.
  • Live - Saturday, March 13, 2004 - link

    Well Saturday morning here. Surfing as usual to anandtech hoping they by a freak accident might have published something on the weekend. Please do ;)
  • Anonymous - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 - link

    Mac OS X 10.3.3 build 7F40 seeded, could be release candidate: No changelog or build notes were included with the latest 10.3.3 build seeded late last night, but Apple sources report that the changes were strictly bug fixes - largely for USB/Firewire peripheral devices and OpenGL graphics rendering on recently released games. The big news here is that the 10.3.3 dev cycle could be wrapping up at long last; sources now report that a release may come as soon as early next week. With its huge boost to graphics drivers and OpenGL performance as well as a very long list of other system improvements, we can hardly wait to take the final release for a spin - stay tuned for daily 10.3.3 tidbits leading up to the release!

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