Ever wanted to subscribe to a feed in a language other than one you understand, and have Google automatically machine translate it into your language? Now you can.
Of course, machine translation is usually terrible. I worked in software localization for a few years, where I learned first hand just how far out the idea of usable machine translation is. But hey, it’s better than nothing, and is a nice option for that Chinese or Russian blog you REALLY wish you could read.
I tried this out on the feeds for the Intel Software Network blog in Chinese and Russian, and it seems to work pretty well (as well as Google Translate ever does). Pretty slick.
OK, so we all knew that the iPhone 2.2 update was bringing Google Maps Street View and walking directions (about time, too). But Gizmodo says it will also include over-the-air podcast downloads. First I’ve heard of this, but a welcome feature that people like me and Dave Winer have been clamoring for from the beginning.
And it suddenly makes a lot more sense why Apple rejected the “Podcaster” app (which downloads over the air, too) for “duplicating iTunes functionality”. At the time, we scratched our heads, because the iPhone had no such capability.
the iPhone version replciates much of the desktop application’s core experience, downloading imagery from Google’s servers as the perspective shifts and dotting the map with landmarks, photos, and other information
Update: It’s out, and it’s amazing. The autotilt function is very cool. I’ll never use Earthscape again.
An email interview I just posted at my place of employment, Intel Software Network, with Jon Ramvi, organizer of the Ubuntu Eee project - the best Linux distribution for the Eee PC netbook that I’ve used so far (and I’ve tried many).
If for some reason you don’t want to order one from Apple, the new 13″ MacBook and 15″ MacBook Pro (the aluminum unibody and glass models) have arrived at Amazon. Those are affiliate links, so if you end up buying from them, I get a small percentage from Amazon that will go towards a cool project I’m working on that will be revealed soon. Much obliged.
I just posted the first of a series of articles on netbooks, OS choices, and more over at Intel Software Network, my place of employement. If you’re interested in these things, you might want to subscribe to the feed to get the future posts.
There’s only 1.5 days left to get your Ignite Portland 4 talk idea submissions in. The window officially closes at 12:01 AM Wednesday 10/15 (that’s the hour after 11PM on Tuesday night 10/14, just to be clear). If you’ve got a talk idea you’d like to share on stage at Ignite Portland 4, now is the time to get it in. Last Chance to Submit Your Talk Ideas for IP4! at Ignite Portland.
The content of this blog is my personal opinion only and although I am an employee of Intel, the statements I make here in no way represent Intel's position on any issue, nor am I authorized to speak on behalf of Intel on any matter.
In an all day team face to face meeting with the ISN team. @billpearson just showed a really cool video. #
We’re doing an unusual (for Intel) but very cool exercise: everyone was to buy (or borrow) a book, then tell us why they chose that book. #
OH: “We shouldn’t be colliding with another galaxy. That’s just sloppy management. Who’s looking into this?” #
OH: “Pompei was destroyed by a volcano. That could NEVER happen here.” #
Today is the 3rd birthday of Intelpedia, the Intel-wide internal wiki I created. Celebrations taking place worldwide at Intel sites. #
Intelpedia has several “children”, wikis at other companies that I’ve helped people set up. It’s contagious! #
I never kept track of what companies I’ve helped with wiki stuff. Am thinking it would be nice to keep track, see how they’re progressing. #
@linuxaid is ALREADY posting the videos from Ignite Portland 4 last night. Will do a post on our site soon (I’m in an all day meeting). in reply to linuxaid#
@davekresta The problem of easy wiki for newbies to edit is age old. Can try a WYSIWYG plugin but I say teach people through the curve. in reply to davekresta#
@krystlechung In general, I advocate teaching people to be smarter and more capable over dumbing the tools down to lowest common denominator in reply to krystlechung#
@jackbaty Ah. “Making it simple” versus “dumbing it down” is a subjective slippery slope. It depends. I’m all for making things simple. in reply to jackbaty#
@davekresta It’s a fine line. You want to make it as easy as you can to edit, but they also have to climb the learning curve. in reply to davekresta#
It was SO cool to have @rachelbancroft with me at Ignite Portland last night. I loved introducing her to my tweeps. She’s so wonderful! #
@matt_mcc Anyone at Intel can edit/contribute to Intelpedia. The info is limited to stuff that it’s OK for the whole company to see. in reply to matt_mcc#
Postulate: Building community sells more of your company’s product that traditional marketing efforts. Discuss. Data points or anecdotes? #
@krystlechung Interfaces (e.g. blog engines) can make things easy for people, but they will benefit from knowledge of the markup code. in reply to krystlechung#
@krystlechung Right. I would never tell someone “You’ll never have to learn ANY HTML. You can always just use the WYSIWYG interface.” in reply to krystlechung#
Hmm. Turns out that thinking up ideas that really “push the envelope” is really hard. #
@wajiii At the least, people should tag their photos igniteportland or ip4, so they can be found. This is the first I’ve heard of a pool. in reply to wajiii#
@wajiii I know. I was just pointing out the “official” photo tagging/sharing tips we’ve been telling people. in reply to wajiii#
@sumwan I’ve been checking the App store for the Google spoken search app all day long. Will definitely share when I get my hands on it. in reply to sumwan#
Hey, Portland - get out and see the moon. Full, low on the horizon to the NE. Very cool looking. #
I’m going to be on @strangelovelive in about 20 minutes, with @camikaos and @drnormal. Via Skype, sadly, due to by suburban habitat. #
@ahockley It was more of a timing issue than anything, had to get the kids home from the sitter after date night with @rachelbancroft. in reply to ahockley#
Can’t wait for this one. I’ve played around with Earthscape, but it’s just not quite the same.
TinyScreenfuls Feed (this blog)
