The new Dell Mini 9 is coming with me to Korea.

I’ll be blogging, videocapturing, and picture uploading through this super light weight machine.

For those that really care… specs and a post-mortem boxing video after the jump.

The New Dell Mini 9 from John on Vimeo.

It’s black, it’s got the cool Intel Atom CPU, a gig of RAM (will be upgraded to 2 in a bit), running Windows XP SP3, and I did NOT get a webcam with mine.  This is because I already have a nice logitech which can record at a much higher rate with better quality.

Sweet.

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Minority Report was one of those movies that was, for the geek, pretty freaking cool.

Tom Cruise… eh.  whatever.  But the technology employed was outstanding, and I couldn’t wait for the day for it to be a reality (although the eye-tracking thing was a bit too 1984-ish).

Well, it’s here, or closer.  Check this vid after the break.  It’s crazy.

g-speak overview 1828121108 from john underkoffler on Vimeo.

But it’s gotten me thinking: Really… REALLY why do things like new technology give me such a buzz?  Why do I get all jittery and excited about “the next big thing”?

And… do I get as excited when I open up the Word?

Ouch. Self-pwned.

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Apparently, yes.

Obama has already moved fast and created a brand spanking new website called Change.gov.  It’s your standard site, thrown together, but what’s very cool is the presence of a blog.

More thoughts after the break…

Now, just imagine if they decided to open comments…!

That would be absolutely amazing.  The amount of traffic would be astronomical.  Throw a couple of comment-polls and it would be the most commented blog of all time.  Ever.

Imagine Obama (or obviously one of his team) posting candid thoughts about policy, decision making, foreign relationships, trips… or even asking for feedback on proposed changes and/or government policy and laws…?

Insanity.

But, of course, the comments are closed and it’s just another Press Release that calls itself a blog.

Sad.

But, perhaps the Republican Party can answer the call?  Check out RebuildTheParty.com.

Their biggest initiative:

The Internet: Our #1 Priority in the Next Four Years

Winning the technology war with the Democrats must be the RNC’s number one priority in the next four years.

That is a big one… blogging perhaps?

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Very quick and dirty post… but I’m nominating Ragamuffinsoul for the Open Web Awards…!  Please go cast your vote for @loswhit and tweet the poop out of it.

Also, if you’re feeling cool, vote for ChurchCrunch too!

teehee!  Go HERE to CAST YOUR VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Today is a historic day in our country’s life.  Yesterday, it was (possibly) an even more historic for me.

Yesterday I prayed passionately for our Presidential Candidates (Praying Backwards with Ragamuffin Soul) and then later on that night I prayed for our country.  This morning, first thing I did was I got on my knees and I prayed for this country again.

And that, my friends, is the “historic” part.

You see, I’ve never been a big “let’s pray for our country” type of guy.  For a long time I’ve thought that this country is pretty much going down the poophole and praying would, if anything, simply delay the inevitable.  (This is terrible thinking and so I repent of that nonsense…)

I’ve prayed for candidates and tossed a prayer-bomb here and there, but I was never this concerned enough to get on my knees.

But I am this time.

Not concerned that the US is breaching armageddon but rather that the capital C Church is divided and that the witness of thousands have been blown because of misplaced and misguided passions.  I think it was seeing it all come together (Thanks Tony!) last night and seeing hundreds of my fellow believers pray for each other and the candidates that they didn’t support which brought me to a place of quiet humility.

And it was amazing because I had the opportunity to lead prayer with family, my wife, sue. (You can actually view our time of leading prayer via chat in Tony’s first part of this video… it was awesome!)

Chat Prayers during Pray Backwards ‘08 from Tony Steward on Vimeo.

It’s actually been family where the battlefield of politics have raged.  While my bud Carlos was seeing a “division unlike he’s ever seen before”, I saw something else transpire: Close family ties being stretched, challenged, and ripped apart because of political differences and persuasions.  I’ve never gotten into such heated debates with family and forced to “do my research”, “justify myself and my position”, and feel emotions of political-insecurity.

But at the very last moment, it was with family, with my wife, where we could just sit at the feet of Christ and pray it up like nothing we’ve ever done before.

And not a moment too late.

So, this morning, when I woke up, headed down to Buckhead Church, grabbed a free cup of coffee from Starbucks and sat down to type, I looked out the window and imagined and saw a country not of citizens-divided, but rather an opportunity for unity.

Here’s hoping… and I’m still praying.

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I’m a speed-junkie.

I find this post so appropriate too because I watched “Top Gun” this afternoon as I rested from my mid-term-25-paper-nightmare.

I feel the need for speed.

I was the guy who bought the brand new computer and instantly reformatted, custom-partitioned, and hacked my registry for maximum speed (wait… I still do this…).  If my computer could go faster, I would make sure it would.

The same goes for WordPress.  So here are three of my favorite WordPress speed “hacks” that are SUPER easy to implement and so effective that if you aren’t using them (or decide not to use them) I will call you a n00b.

And, if you aren’t using WordPress, you are a n00b by default.  Just kidding…  Hacks after the jump.

First, these aren’t really hacks, but for all intents and purposes this might be the first time you’ve actually edited any code that wasn’t a part of your plugins or themes, so we’ll call it a “hack” for fun.  That way you can feel cool.

Super Duper Speedy Object Cache Thingamajig

The first is a super simple addition to your wp-config.php file located on the root of your WordPress install.  All you have to do is add 1 line of code to enable WordPress’ built-in Object Cache.

What does it do?  It’ll make WP cache all types and kinds of database queries as files on the server’s hard drive.  Essentially, this is something like asking the server to microwave that delicious hot-pocket instead of asking the server to make the hot-pocket from scratch with homemade ingredients.  … Don’t get it?  Your making the server do less work.

So, copy the following code into your wp-config.php file and voila, instant speed upgrade!

// Enable the WordPress Object Cache:
define(ENABLE_CACHE, true);

Some have noted speed and performance increases that would make a grown man cry.

Super Duper Speedy WP Super Cache Plugin Thingamajiggy

This one is pretty much legendary.  It’s a “plugin” but it soooooooooo much more than just a “plugin”.  The WP Super Cache Plugin makes your WordPress “Ford Focus” install into a “Lamborgini Murcielago” install.

The results and it’s kick-buttness have been well documented so I won’t spend any more time giving it praise, but there are a few issues that you may encounter before and/or during the installation process.

You might have to do the following to get it to work, and WP Super Cache will actually document these changes that you’ll have to make so you can get it to work optimally:

1. You may have to add additional lines to your wp-config.php file (but you’re already a pro if you did the first hack).
2. You may have to chmod your root directory and/or the wp-content folder to 777 while you install and setup the plugin.  This is pretty easy and any GUI-based FTP program (or internet browser-based GUI) should give you the ability to do this.
3. You may have to create and/or move a file or two around in the directories (that’s easy).
4. You will probably have to enable some type of “permalink” setting, which is easy (goto your WordPress Settings >>> Permalinks >>> Choose Style).
5. You will want to check your .htaccess file on the root of your WordPress install after you enable addition mod_rewrite in the WP Super Cache settings.  The .htaccess file is already created if you have “permalinks” setup.  Checking it is easy as downloading the .htaccess file and opening it in a text-editor after you set it up in WP Super Cache.

And voila.  Pretty much teh uber.  A must plugin.  You owe it to your readers.

Super Duper Optimize Your Dbase Thingamajigjig

This one’s pretty simple but requires you to do a thing or two on your MySQL database.  It’s easy though, especially if you’re using PhpMyAdmin.  Just 3 clicks and you’re “optimized” for speed.

Get into your admin control panel for your database, click the right one, scroll all the way down and hit “check all” and then goto the right and use the drop down box to choose “optimize tables”.

That’s it!  Pretty sweet, huh.  Here’s a visual overview of the amazing 3-click-wonder.

So there you have it.

Three of my most favorite speed hacks for WordPress.  There are probably 10 others that I’ve done to increase speed, stability, and performance, but they require a little more “know how” and may result in you regretting your attempt…  but these three won’t.

Do it, and I promise that it’ll make you smile… and please let me know how it goes!  I like hearing good news.

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I’ve been wondering about this for a long time and had hoped someone would come up with a solution.

So, if you’re pretty sensitive about losing your Twitter-followers, or are interested to know why they left you (maybe you’re just a tad bit too offensive… or cool for them), then check it out.

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Image from danielgebhart and problogger

Wow, what a great article here by Problogger about feeling overwhelmed by one’s blog and the content that one is pressured to write, especially regarding social media and technology.

My thoughts after the jump.

It only took 3 months after my first began working at my first corporate job in technology and web development to realize that keeping up with technology was a full time job, in and of itself.

That was back in the summer of ‘98… a decade ago.  Although I understood this principle, I didn’t begin practically applying it until much much later.  Instead, I did all that I could to keep up.  I only realized that it was impossible to keep up a number of years back, and it was only recently that I’ve given up.

And that’s a good thing.

Because it helped create what I call The Three F’s:

The 1st “F” : Focus

I could now begin to concentrate on the things that I was passionate about.  Especially related to blogging, I could really dig down deep, write about the things that were the most interesting, and create better content overall.

This really, especially now, is the only way to fly.  With so many blogs out there creating content daily, there’s only one thing that makes your blog really unique and that’s YOU.  Focus on yourself, your interests, your passion, and who you are as a person.

Don’t fake it.  Don’t try to be anyone else, because that’s not interesting.  Be you.

Finally, with focusing you can provide yourself with a good and hearty schedule of publishing.  This is crucial.  Don’t blow that off.

The 2nd “F” : Fun

As a result of focusing, I could have more fun.  I didn’t have to beat myself up if I felt like I had to write on something but didn’t… or get depressed when I didn’t write about something that was “bleeding edge” technologically but that I, personally, wasn’t very interested in.  Again, I could write about what interested me.

As a direct result, burn out was avoided as well.  This is crucial in regards keeping consistent content flowing.  As I’ve mentioned to many people in my life in regards to their vocation: “If you’re not having fun, generally speaking, there is perhaps another occupation for you.”

So have fun with it.  Or don’t do it!

The 3rd “F” : Free Time

The more focus and the more fun I was having with blogging, the more free time was created.  This can seem fairly counter-intuitive but it really isn’t.  As I began blogging about things that really excited me and was having more fun doing it, the more productive I became, and the faster I would write, collect content, and produce content, saving me a lot more time.

Forcing paragraph after paragraph out of no interest was gone.  What happens is that I could actually put the computer down and relax.  This was extremely helpful for my family too.

And seriously, there’s more to life than just blogs… right?

Got any additional tips?

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Was the “design” video.

Did you guys see that?  Click here if you haven’t.  The thing made me want to cry.

…

Just kidding.  But seriously, it was a gripping tale of how the product was re-designed and, as my wife mentioned, the expressions on their faces was like a witnessing the birth of a child for them.

“My babyyyyyy is finally here!!!!!!!1111111111″

They must be proud.  Anyways, other than that, eh.  The new track pad is cool.

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I’ve never been that political.  It’s either because I’m too tired of the mudslinging, too ignorant of the major political platforms, too disconnected from either candidate because I do not like either, or simply too busy.

This year, though, has been different.  People extremely close to me have been the most vocal, the most passionate, and the most educated that they have ever been, and it’s forced me to dig a little deeper, do some research, take a stance, and pray to God that our country is not as retarded ignorant stupid blind dumb uneducated uncaring as me.

I guess I’m just being honest with myself… that I need to do this.  Maybe it’s because I have a child now and I really care about the next 4 years.  Maybe I’ve grown up a bit, matured a little more.

Who knows.  But whatever your choice, go vote.  Check this cool video after the break (strong language by famous people is used, so just FYI).

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