test

Times Reader

I've been testing out The New York Times Reader, an electronic newspaper of sorts created by the newspaper giant and Microsoft. My feelings are mixed so far.

The Reader is very well designed, easy to use and does a good job of bringing the newspaper-reading experience to the computer screen. It's prettier than a regular Web site (it incorporates photos better than any online newspaper I've read) and is easier to use than PDF-based "electronic editions" many newspapers, including mine, sell. I can see it being especially handy for Tablet PC users. The software downloads the entire paper at once, so users don't have to stay connected to the Internet to read. And it's easy to highlight and annotate articles, which users can then send -- with the notes embedded -- to friends and colleagues.

On the other hand, this works only for the New York Times, at least for now. Does this mean Microsoft expects readers to install a standalone reader for every publication they buy? Or is this going to be an semi-open format, like Microsoft's old Reader (not to be confused with this Microsoft co-created NY Times Reader)? Microsoft's original press release doesn't say.

This really should be a browser plug-in of some kind. When users go to NY Times Web site, the plug-in could spring into action and download the site in the Reader format.

You have to hand it to the Times, though. They've been on the cutting edge of this media transition and seem to be willing to experiment with electronic media. It'll be interesting to see if this one goes anywhere.

It's official: Zune to be $249

That's better than being priced higher than iPods of the same capacity. But even with the Zune's added features, I still think Microsoft's smartest move would be undercutting iPods on price.

Link to Zune details unzipped | CNET News.com

Answer the phone, dead man

Oops! Real ‘Itsy Bitsy’ songwriter still alive

The Paul Vance who wrote the songs — and provided proof with royalty payments he is still receiving for the hit — said he has been inundated with calls from people who think he died.

I think the writer means to say calls from people checking in on the death report. I don't know anyone who calls people they think are dead, but that's just me.

Falwell says Hillary would spark base - Yahoo! News

Falwell says Hillary would spark base

The Rev. Jerry Falwell says a White House run by Sen.
Hillary Rodham Clinton would energize his base of religious conservatives even more than if the devil were the Democratic nominee.

'I certainly hope that Hillary is the candidate,' Falwell told a private prayer breakfast. 'Because nothing will energize my (constituency) like
Hillary Clinton.'

Nice to know he has his priorities straight.