Akshay Shah

I had to install SQL Server 2008 for a project and so I started the SQL Server 2008 installation process. 3 reboots, 1 hotfix, 2 prerequisite software installations and an hour later, SQL Server 2008 is now running. It’s so freaking frustrating.

This is in reply to this post about iPad. First of all let me take care of all the things which are not present in my post:

Zero tactile feedback on the iPad. Oh well. Does Mozilla tell users that it can’t install a plugin because it thinks the plugin copies core browser functionality? Does Mozilla arbitrarily ban plugins?

I have nowhere talked about the input mechanism of the iPad nor about the Appstore policies. So these two don’t make any sense just like the rest of it.

If you are going to throw numbers at me and tell me that the App Store sold 140, 000 apps and still counting and that Apple made enough money to buy the entire African continent, you are reaffirming your fanboyism. Far from being a counter-argument, it makes you sound asinine.

There are 140000 apps available for download in the App Store. The total number of application downloads is 3 billion+. These are straight facts and I don’t see any fanboyism here. If stating facts sounds asinine, you need to check the dictionary. I recommend Merriam-Webster.

Next in line is my biggest complaint so far: the issue of multitasking. I got the most typical fanboy response to this: who needs multitasking on a media-device?

I am just citing sources regarding multitasking and the world does not stop if there is no multitasking.

Flash made it possible to have bandwidth-friendly sizes for animations that were previously unthinkable.

Nobody is questioning the role of Flash. As per the post by John Gruber, the single most factor for browser crashes on Mac is Flash. Did you even read it? Click the link above, the site does not run flash and will not crash your browser, I promise.

Which is exactly why the manifestation of the iPad, severely below my expectations, has made me very, very angry, knowing fully well that Apple doesn’t care about its loyal converts like me.

Sir, Apple does not make products as per your expectations and you are no Steve Jobs either, far from it.

Fuck my life

No one’s stopping you. Thanks!

For those who don’t already know (Hello Aliens, welcome to our world), iPad was announced yesterday. What’s with the name? There are no two ways about it - I don’t like the name either. What is wrong with Apple - No Flash? No support for flash as expected. After reading the article - Apple, Adobe and Flash on Daring Fireball, I think it’s for good. HTML 5 should do the trick. No Multitasking? “This is a geeky need. Most people don’t need it. I need it in my day-to-day computing so this would never be my primary computing platform, but as a media viewer, why would I need it?” (via Jeff Lamarche’s blog). There also seems to be a small section of people moving towards Unitasking. Read the article “The Death of Multitasking and Rebirth of Unitasking” for more. No Camera? There is no camera. This would have made it perfect for video conferencing. But Cult of Mac explains the technical nitty-gritty that might have stopped them from including one: “The iPad is going to be predominantly used in a below eye-level position. What that means is that a forward fronted web cam would need to point upwards at a slant to capture a human face.” Oversized iPhone? There’s nothing new about it and we were expecting more? “Sure, it’s really nothing more than a big iPhone. But the iPhone is the greatest consumer electronics device ever made — so maybe that isn’t such a bad thing.” (via  iPad thoughts by Jeff Croft.)Apple had to make something that could leverage on all those 140000 applications that have been developed for the iPhone. I believe its awesome that you can run all those applications out of the box. Also, why would you want to change something that has worked so well that all other companies like RIM, Nokia, Samsung and LG have tried to imitate the iPhone. When you sell 75 million of some device, you make something that is similar to what has worked. That’s commonsense. Kindle as a competition, seriously?“Ask yourself, which would you rather have: a single-purpose e-book reader with a (admittedly very good) monochrome screen, or a similar sized, full-color device that does the same thing–perhaps with a more elegant user interface–plus a whole lot more: color, video, photos, and other media in the books themselves, as well as browser, email, calendar, games, and the 140,000 other things from the iTunes App Store? And if you could do that for just $10 more (Kindle DX currently listed at $489, lowest-priced iPad at $499)? No brainer.” (via The Apple Blog)What can you do an iPad cannot do on an iPhone?Most of the answers are tied to the iPad’s bigger screen and faster processor: Reading E-books Watching HD Videos Better web browsing Immersive Gaming experience What is the device for?From Leo Babauta’s twitter stream: “Important: the iPad is for consuming info, not for creating. It’ll help separate the two, which is wonderful for creators.”Initial response from the people who have actually used the iPad? Positive. As per John Gruber, its screaming FAST. The Apple Blog has a nice compilation of video reviews. Who would buy the iPad?I think mainly two markets would be the most affected:1. People using Netbooks2. People using E-book readers like Kindle

Here is what people might gain by providing feedback. It might sound stupid but here it is:Why would you want to provide feedback? You like to make people happy. Every time I get some feedback/comment, it makes me happy. You might become a good photo critique. You may be inspired to start your own photography blog. You have nothing interesting to do at work and this might be a good pastime. You might just discover that you are a born photographer and you did not know about it (yeah, that could happen). How can you provide feedback? Comments - Please feel free to provide your suggestions by clicking on the comments link just below the photos. Share - When you hover your mouse over the image a “drag to share” cursor will appear, just drag the cursor and you can easily share the image on Facebook, Twitter and other kinds of social networking sites.

What is Project 365? You have to take 1 photo every day for a year. Inspired by the Project 365: How to Take a Photo a Day and See Your Life in a Whole New Way article, I have started my own blog - Project 365. Any suggestions or comments are welcome. Update: I am an amateur photographer and I have started this project so that I can improve my skills.