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Its all About Me

I will be soon be entering a new phase in my life (sometimes referred to as grad school), so I wanted to start making some back end preparations for when this momentous leap forward in my life occurs.

This starts tonight with the creation of my landing page, hosted on About Me.

About Me: Ross Logan

 This website will serve as my new central hub, where friends and professionals alike can visit to find out more information about me, how to contact me, and what Im up to personally and professionally.

This evening will also mark my initial shift away from personal blogging, at least for the time being. Yes, I havent blogged in quite some time, but tonight will serve as my official announcement. Its not quite a retirement from blogging, per say, but rather a temporary hold until I have started my new career in grad school. Once settled there, I shall resume blogging with much more of a Student Life approach.

Anyways, you can visit my About Me page at http://About.Me/Ross.Logan

Enjoy!

iPhone 4 vs HTC Thunderbolt... FIGHT!

Its a given that I have been wanting the iPhone since January 2007... so for 4 years now, and saying its a given is actually putting it rather lightly. To give you an idea of how badly I wanted that phone, I can tell you that I distinctly remember being on a boat, in the middle of the sea off the coast of Hawaii, dolphin watching, and looking down at my watch and thinking, "The iPhone just got released on the East coast." Thats how crazy obsessed I was.  Hell, I even bought the thing while in Hawaii, and told my parents I was switching to AT&T no matter how much it would cost me to jump off the Verizon family plan and pay my own way for the iPhone. Three weeks later, as the phone sat in front of me unopened, I realized I could never afford to be on AT&T without my parents support, and so I returned the phone, and vowed to wait until Verizon received it in a few months or so to get it.

4 years later, here we are, and I cant say Im still drooling and slobbering from anticipation. In September of 2007, I picked up the iPod touch, my only savior that helped me weather the storm of not having an iPhone. And every September since 2007, I bought a new iPod that came with many of the features the iPhone was given just 2 months earlier. And so, I continued to wait patiently.

But then Droid happened to Verizon in November of 2009. And suddenly, Verizon had a geek phone to call its own. Not only that, it had a killer app that even the almighty iPhone didnt have: Free Navigation, direct from Google Maps. It even had voice search, voice dial, voice-to-text, voice-anything. And it was insanely accurate. And suddenly the iPhone wasnt the only game in town anymore. The phrase "iPhone Killer" got thrown around a lot prior to the Droid series of phones, as a way of decreeing an upcoming phone that would finally best the iPhone in all ways. The Droid series never got called an "iPhone Killer," yet the phrase stopped getting tossed around as Droid picked up steam, and more and more awesome phones got announced - all on Verizon. I dont think one Droid phone every had a chance of contending with the iPhone, but I think the Droid series may have put a serious damper on the iPhone awesomeness.

I wont spend a great deal of time explaining what a Droid can do, but lets just sum it up by saying that Verizon's first marketing campaign for its Droid was simply, "Droid Does." And it "does" really well.

Source: Verizon

And this week, Droid Does got a WHOLE lot better. Not only did Verizon announce that faster wireless data speeds would be coming to Verizon phones this year, but all the phones announced were Droid phones, and they would be here in the next 3 months. This faster speed is referred to as 4G LTE, similar to what Sprint has with their network. This means I would go from downloading youtube videos or internet webpages at 256kb per second to downloading them at 5MB per second (over 10 times an increase). This is CRAZY fast, and the best part is, Verizon isnt planning on raising their prices. AND its already in my area, so all I have to do is buy a 4G LTE phone, and Ive got instant amazingness in my hand.



One phone Verizon announced this week in particular, has caught my attention: The HTC Thunderbolt. The Thunderbolt look STUNNING (pictured below on the left). Its got a huge touchscreen, a super fast processor, an amazing UI, and its got 4G LTE to boot. HTC's first marketing campaign for this phone even said, "This is not your dream phone. Its the one after that." And from everything I have heard from people who have reviewed this phone, its pretty amazing.

Source: Engadget

So after this phone was announced, I was all over getting it. And then THE VERY NEXT DAY, Verizon announced that they have something else to announce this coming Tuesday the 11th. Why would Verizon hold a second press conference so soon after a major, major one? iPhone, everyone and the Wall Street Journal screamed. Verizon iPhone.

Source: 9to5Mac

Which is actually why we are here.  This morning I woke up to rumors turned reports from credible individuals and journals that YES, INDEED AND ACTUALLY ARE TRUE, Verizon will announce the imminent release of the iPhone for its network on Tuesday, January 11th, 2011 at 11am. Or, 1/11/11 at 11am.

After 4 years of lusting after the Verizon iPhone, my first sleepy, half-awake thought was OMG BREAK OPEN MY PIGGY BANK I WILL NEED PENNIES AND NICKLES NOWWWWWWWWWW IPHONE IZ 2 BE MINEEEEEEEEZ.

Source: The Oatmeal and Engadget

But then after the insane hallucinations of Verizon iPhones everywhere, I started to re-think my decision through the long term. What about the navigation app I use at least once a week with my Droid? What about all the 4G LTE phones that were announced just two days ago (The Verizon iPhone will not have 4G LTE at launch)? What about the HTC Thunderbolt I was already cutting out my kidney for???? This was problematic.

So I decided, like any kid these days, that instead of thinking through my decision in my own head privately, I would blog and publicly record the whole ordeal online.

So here we are. 3..... 2..... 1..... iPhone 4 vs HTC Thunderbolt - FIGHT!!!!!

......

...... ummmm...... on second thought, Im kinda exhausted after writing all this.

Lets just do a pros and cons thingy and call it good.

iPhone:
Pros: Apple, A bazillion neat apps, sleek design, syncs with my iCal, Email, Music, etc Flawlessly, i LOVEEEEE the touch screen keyboard, and have gotten really good at it over the years in trusting it. reliable software, angry birds, attracts quality developers, has facetime, itunes mobile store for buying music when i hear it on the radio, it just works.....
Cons: You cant tweak the software, doesnt have 4G, Id be locked into the iPhone 4 for 2 years before getting the ability to get the new version, Id have to switch over all my stuff from android, no wireless tethering, and id lose navigation and earth and other cool google maps shit.

Thunderbolt:
Pros: 4G LTE amaZing speeds, google maps, navigation, tweak it to my hearts content, free syncing to google.... calendar widget to remind me.....
Cons: big phone, have to use google, doesnt have itunes music store or my music, has trouble syncing my calendars, cant use my r.l@tme.com email account, doesnt have all the cool apps, apps are kinda buggy sometimes, keyboard typing sucks, etc, etc.....

14 Days

Just 14 days to go.

In 14 days, a lot of things could happen.

A small, few knowledged individuals know exactly what will happen. But you and I dont know anyone like that.

A larger group of people have heard rumors of what will happen. They believe certain devices for Verizon will be released, and that it will have certain 4G capabilities that will usher in a new awesome era of selling devices for Verizon. They know that they CEO of Verizon is going to speak that day, something the CEO has never done before at this type of event. They speculate that the CEO will talk about the 4G devices he will be revealing that day for Verizon, given that it is a big deal for Verizon to finally be a player in the 4G market. You probably dont know people in this group, but I do. Not personally, but I read their blogs, so I know what they know.

Then there is an even larger group of people that contain people like me, who read the blogs of the smaller group who hear rumors and such. Based on all the blogs we read and opinions we listen to, we can guess what will happen in 14 days, but all we really have to go on is what we hear. The problem with what we hear is that a lot of garbage gets through, making it tough, but not impossible, to decipher BS within all the blogs and opinions we read. We can match what we learn with what we see going on in the outside world, as well as what our history lessons have taught us. We can make predictions as to what will happen in 14 days, but they just arent as good as the people in the smaller group. You know me, and you probably know people like me, and they probably tell you stuff that is similar or slightly similar to the same stuff I tell you.

Then there is a massive group that you fall into. We'll call this group: the rest of average day society. This group hears many, many things, and also believes many, many things. They do not take time to read up on events that have already taken place, or read up on the limits that companies are constrained by. And for some odd reason, they also feel compelled to share whatever things they hear with anyone who asks or may seem interested, as if grasping for their place in the lime-light. So thus, rumors that have little justification for existing or having any remote possibility of being true are perpetuated further, and spread like sand in the wind (sorry, just watched Buried, awesome movie.) So for this group, any guesses as to what may happen on January 6th, 14 days from now, have as much chance of being right as unicorns have of actually being real. Which is exactly why the Verizon iPhone is always referred to as "the mythical unicorn."

People in this last group have heard it from so many other people IN THEIR GROUP that this thing is real, everyone totally believes it. You know who doesnt believe it? All the other groups.

I wont waste any breath in this blog post outlining all the specific reasons why Verizon wont be getting the iPhone in January, so let me just cut to the point of me writing this post at all:

Im so firm in belief that Verizon will NOT be making ANY iPhone announcements of ANY kind on January 6th, that Im willing to place a bet.

Now, because Im not normally a betting man, I have no clue WHAT kind of wager would actually be appropriate. If Im right, well, then obviously I win the satisfaction of being right and the peace of mind knowing that the hideously large group of you will finally shut up about it.

But if Im wrong and the CEO of Verizon actually makes some sort of announcement related to the iPhone....... what should I have to do? Climb a large tree? Kiss a girl? Give up video games for a month? Go a whole day without any electronic devices at all?  What should it be?

Tell me! It may be your last chance to feel self-righteous before I strike you down with a Ha Ha, I told you so.

I have to write a freaking Statement of Purpose.

I am creative. I just never thought I was.

I cant write music, or create images through art, or anything like that.

But I can create residence hall programs, on a large scale, that fit specific needs, and appeal to a massive audience.

I can find unfulfilled, unseen needs, bring them to light, and then create ways to satisfy those needs.

I can bring people together, I can make them care, and I can help them work together.

I can reveal the fabric of different personalities, egos, and attitudes, and figure out how to best help that person succeed in the given situation.

I am creative. I just never thought a University could be considered a canvas on which to paint.

!

Goodness! Its been over a month since I last posted? Sorry about that..... life has been kinda hectic.

...and sadly, these next two weeks are no exception.

But tonight I was struck by a Facebook message from someone in the royal court at my high school. Well, he made up the entire royal court, but still.

Anyways, he started bragging about New York and the high gay to straight ratio there, and how much he is enjoying the scene.  And you know, it just pushes me that much more to land somewhere great for me next year for grad school.

But for the present day...... it makes me wonder about my job, and how much time its taking..... maybe thats just right now. Maybe next semester, it will finally calm down..... and I start going out again, instead of sitting in front of my computer working every single night......

Because I like Portal SO MUCH....

Because I like the video game PORTAL so much, Im listing a bunch of my favorite quotes from the game. They are absolutely hilarious, and Im super excited for the SEQUEL!!!!!!!!

• "Spectacular. You appear to understand how a portal affects forward momentum, or to be more precise, how it does not. Momentum, a function of mass and velocity, is conserved between portals. In layman's terms, speedy thing goes in, speedy thing comes out."
• "Please be advised that a noticeable taste of blood is not part of any test protocol but is an unintended side effect of the Aperture Science Material Emancipation Grid, which may, in semi-rare cases, emancipate dental fillings, crowns, tooth enamel, and teeth."
• [in a room flooded with toxic acid] "Please note that we have added a consequence for failure. Any contact with the chamber floor will result in an 'unsatisfactory' mark on your official testing record, followed by death. Good luck!"
• "The Enrichment Center promises to always provide a safe testing environment. In dangerous testing environments, the Enrichment Center promises to always provide useful advice. For instance, the floor here will kill you. Try to avoid it."
• "Did you know you can donate one or all of your vital organs to the Aperture Science self esteem fund for girls? It's true!"
• "The Enrichment Center is committed to the well being of all participants. Cake and grief counseling will be available at the conclusion of the test. Thank you for helping us help you help us all."
• "Remember, the Aperture Science 'Bring Your Daughter to Work Day' is the perfect time to have her tested."
• "Unbelievable. You, [subject name here], must be the pride of [subject hometown here]!"
• "As an optional test protocol, we are pleased to present an amusing fact. The device is now more valuable than the organs and combined incomes of everyone in [subject hometown here]."
• "The Enrichment Center reminds you that the Weighted Companion Cube will never threaten to stab you and, in fact, cannot speak."
• "The Enrichment Center reminds you that the Companion Cube cannot speak. In the event that the Companion Cube does speak, the Enrichment Center urges you to disregard its advice."
• "If the Weighted Companion Cube could speak, and the Enrichment Center takes this opportunity to remind you that it cannot, it would tell you to go on without it because it would rather die in a fire than become a burden to YOU."
• [near the end of the nineteenth and final test chamber] "Congratulations. The test is now over. All Aperture technologies remain safely operational up to 4000 degrees Kelvin. Rest assured that there is absolutely no chance of a dangerous equipment malfunction prior to your victory candescence. [the moving platform the player is standing on is sinking into a fire pit] Thank you for participating in this Aperture Science computer-aided enrichment activity. Goodbye."
• "Didn't we have some fun though? Remember when the platform was sliding into the fire pit and I said 'Goodbye,' and you were like [in low pitched voice]'No way,' Then I was all like 'We pretended we were going to murder you?'[sigh] That was great."

---

• "Well, you found me. Congratulations. Was it worth it? Because despite your violent behavior, the only thing you have managed to break so far is my heart. Maybe you could settle for that and we'll just call it a day? I guess we both know that isn't going to happen... You chose this path, and now I have a surprise for you."
• "Deploying surprise in five... four... [morality core becomes detached from GLaDOS and falls to the floor] Time out for a second. That wasn't supposed to happen. Do you see that thing that fell out of me? What is that? It's not the surprise... I've never seen it before. Never mind, it's a mystery I'll solve later, by myself, because you'll be dead."*
• "That thing is probably some kind of raw sewage container. Go ahead and wipe your face all over it."
• "Maybe you should marry that thing because you love it so much. Do you want to marry it? WELL I WON'T LET YOU! How does that feel?"
• "I am being serious now. That crazy thing is not part of any test protocol."
• "Have I lied to you? [pause] I mean, in this room? Trust me, leave that thing alone."
• [After burning the morality core] "[Garbled Sounds] You're kidding me. Did you just stuff that Aperture Science Thing We Don't Know What It Does into an Aperture Science Emergency Intelligence Incinerator? That has got to be the dumbest thing that whoah, whoah, whoah. [Laughs] [In a much lower voice] Good news, I figured out what that thing you just incinerated did. It was a morality core they installed after I flooded the enrichment center with a deadly neurotoxin to make me stop flooding the enrichment center with a deadly neurotoxin, so get comfortable while I warm up the neurotoxin emitters."
• "Huh. That core must have had some ancillary responsibilities. I can't shut off the turret defences. Oh well. If you want my advice, you should just go lie down in front of a rocket. Trust me, it will be a lot less painful than the neurotoxin."
• "Keep doing whatever it is you think you're doing. Killing you and giving you good advice aren't mutually exclusive. The rocket really is the way to go."
• "Two plus two is f-f-f-f... ten. [distorted sounds] ...in base four; I'm fine!"
• "That thing you burned up isn't important to me. It's the fluid catalytic cracking unit. It made shoes for orphans. Nice job breaking it, hero."
• "I'd just like to point out that you were given every opportunity to succeed. There was even going to be a party for you. A big party that all your friends were invited to. I invited your best friend the Companion Cube. Of course, he couldn't come because you murdered him. All your other friends couldn't come either because you don't have any other friends. Because of how unlikeable you are. It says so here in your personnel file: Unlikeable. Liked by no one. A bitter, unlikeable loner whose passing shall not be mourned. 'Shall not be mourned.' That's exactly what it says. Very formal. Very official. It also says you were adopted. So that's funny, too."
• "Speaking of curiosity, you're curious about what happens after you die, right? Guess what? I know! You're going to find out first-hand before I can finish telling you, though, so I won't bother. I'll give you a hint: you're going to want to pack as much living as you possibly can into the next couple of minutes."
• "I have your brain scanned and permanently backed up in case something terrible happens to you... which it's just about to. Don't believe me? Here. I'll put you on. [in a high pitched voice] Hello! [normal voice] That's you! That's how dumb you sound! You've been wrong about every single thing you've ever done, including this thing. You're not smart. You're not a scientist. You're not a doctor. You're not even a full-time employee. Where did your life go so wrong?"
• "Your entire life has been a mathematical error. A mathematical error I'm about to correct."
• "This isn't brave. It's murder. What did I ever do to you?"

---

• "We both said a lot of things that you're going to regret. But I think we can put our differences behind us. For science. You monster."
• "We're a lot alike, you and I. You tested me. I tested you. You killed me, I... oh no, wait. I guess I haven't killed you yet. Well... food for thought."