webdevmatt

So I was talking to a buddy of mine at Microsoft, and I was asking about Listas (its an online list creation and management software in Microsoft’s Live Labs).  He wasn’t very familiar with the project but after a little research he cam back with some  info.  From the information he brought back and what I’ve seen of  the project, I could not think of a reason to use this tool.

It’s 7:50pm and I’m about to hand over my machine for re-imaging. “Take off all you data,” says the tech, but I have no resident data on my machine that can’t be found somewhere securely in the ether :). I’d like to thank Kishmish, Microsoft, Google, Asigra, and countless other solution providers for helping me live paperless and virtual.

While I don’t have any data on my machine, what about my applications. The things I use every day and take for granted, oy, vizzle. Well, a practical use of Listas, kind of. I’ve posted my MSFT and third party apps, with download links to my Listas account, whoopdee doodle. Granted there are a large finite number of other places to put this stuff, but I have chose you Listas. That list is posted forever now for editing and viewing, or until they pull the plug on the project :).

So as I’m finishing my list and about to go to trivia night I think to myself, maybe this could be useful, let’s see if it’s linked into Live Mobile ishtar. It appears that List is not. Ok, I can still use those online lists remotely on my Windows Mobile device right. Maybe I can have my employees, or clients, or girlfriend …. posts list of stuff they are looking for and if something familiar comes to mind I can whip out my handy list from Listas, and deliver the asset in my journeys while I’m PCless. Sorry can’t do that either.

Well, I do know one thing Listas will provide me, another place to login to get my information, and the list of what’s on My PC right now.

The look is nice, just like Sharepoint Document Library, and a bit more friendly (nice icons :)). The ability to add and share documents with anyone is clean and simple. Next step’s not so great. The viewing of Office documents by others or myself is easy enough, but if you are going to be an editor, they recommend you install an update that takes some time, and a reboot. I’m hoping when it’s install the experience is as good as Google docs :|, we’ll see.

So Office Live opens the document in it’s native application (word, excel, …)  requiring a username and password (this is on edit and save). You see this in Sharepoint as well, we will have to see if the fix for Sharepoint works here (just have to put the site into my trusted sites, and all will be good in the world) single logon.

Pros: Looks nice, easy to share, easy to view. Can create multiple document workspaces with specific “permissions”

Cons: requires an install with reboot. Must click to see simple things like tasks, contacts, etc. Ability to customize does not jump out at me (I’m not saying you can’t customize, just at first glance (15 min)).

More to come at later date.

We yearn for a singular event that transforms the way we see life; that one pivotal and utterly unexplainable event in our lives that transforms a group of rabble into something greater; into something more than the sum of their parts. This is the stuff of the fairytales you were read lying in your beds, as you silently believed that somewhere, someplace the stories were true. It is the place where frogs are turned into princes and old hags are princesses waiting to be rescued.

Silently believe no more. That fairytale story has been realized in the form of a ragtag volleyball team. Where a man deemed too small to play anywhere else is given the Gift of the Golden Hands and the speed of a diving falcon; where a thirty-something’s brittle, ancient bones are turned to iron; where the shrieks and screams of her sister become the piercing cries of the banshee, striking fear into the hearts of foes; where a seasoned warrior is made of Steele and given the Wisdom of the Sages to lead his forces to victory. Only in a fairytale can the humble and quiet damsel be transformed into the fierce Valkryie. And only in the fairytale can the local single-eyebrowed waffle maker be described as having the accuracy and luscious locks of one Robin Hood.

This is the fairytale; it is the myth made reality. Be witness to the fulfillment of their manifest destiny. Be witness to history and believe that this team of Heroes will overthrow Carissa’s army who now seek to spread their plague across the land.

Haven’t eaten at the Café in a couple months so I headed on down there for a Panini and soup. They pushed the turkey and bacon Panini hard so I went with it, and there was a nice smelling beef barley soup in the warmer. While waiting, I indulged in the soup, and man was it tasty. On its own it was great, but with a couple shakes of hot pepper flakes it was exactly what the dr. ordered. While the soup blew me out of the water, of the turkey bacon Panini was a letdown. With all the hype I was expecting the best sandwich I had ever eaten. The fact of the matter was, it was just good. The first few bites were disappointing, but after readjusting my expectations, it settled in as a good sandwich that I would get again. Being a fan of pickles as well, the accompanying dill spears were great. Cold, crunchy and delicious. Nice Job Clinton Café, I’ll be back soon.