Leinninger.com

Voice Over IP is big. The geriatric Bells of the world are wetting themselves. Everyone is using VOIP or Cellular networks. Either the dinosaurs grow some feathers and wings, or they’ll be gone within a decade.

Ted has dedicated an entire website to Mac-oriented VOIP solutions. (Ted is working on a book for O’Reilly, and has a blog with some good thoughts on the future of VOIP.) I just wish that Gina had 1.) internet access and 2.) Skype while in Montana…

- Duane

Gina is away at a neuroscience conference in a resort in Montana. They meet in small groups, talk about very small things (neurons, blood cells, etc.) for a few hours, then hit the sauna. I hear the meals aren’t so good, though. I’ve promised to keep a photo-journal of my week alone. If safe, I’ll post it up for all to see.

My calendars are in sync… as are my contact lists and bookmarks. From Entourage (Outlook) to iCal, to Palm Pilot, to cell phone. iSync keeps it that way. This is the first solution that really works. Although .Mac is required for work-to-home synchronization, it’s worth the $8 per month. Not to mention the backup software, email, and other goodies you get as part of .Mac.

- Duane

Early today, I competed in another autocross at the Pontiac Silverdome. After completing the modifications to my car a few weeks ago, I changed classes (from STX to TSM). First, I’d like to say that I drove badly. I didn’t plan my run very well. I should have memorized the course. Also, I have crappy tires. There’s a reason that nobody in STX or TSM uses Goodyear tires in the dry. After a few thousand miles they’ve lost all of their competitive grip (pretty normal for a road tire). In the rain, they’re still excellent (compared to the standard Kuhmo and Falken selection). Lastly, my suspension (50,000 miles of use, still stock) is tired. Everyone in both STX and TSM have upgraded at least their springs. I bounced around the course today like I was driving a moon buggy.

So where does this go? This was the last autocross that I planned to participate in (for the year). Someday I would like to get into SCCA Club racing (road courses)… preferably in a Spec Miata. My master plan was to find a used 1994-1997 Miata that needed some love. Slowly build a Spec while simultaneously using it to autocross. A complication to that plan is that Gina and I are planning to move soon, and I’ll be returning to Wayne State this fall. Not a ton of free time in that plan.

I’ll have to consider getting dedicated autocross tires (and wheels) and possibly upgrading part of my suspension… or holding off and go with the Miata plan. Right now I’m leaning towards option 2… there’s a lot to consider over the next 6 months. I’ll start by examining my car to make sure the suspension slop isn’t due to equipment failure or wheel misalignment.

- Duane

This weekend Greg and Kim, friends of ours, are getting married. Party on…

Sunday will be one of the last Autocrosses that I will be able to attend this “summer.” I’ve made some modifications to my car that changes my class from STX (Street Touring eXtreme) to TSM (Street Tire, Street Modified). I have a few nagging issues that may adversely affect my performance. But, I’m hoping to have a chance to iron them out before the event. Brad got his supercharger back into his car last weekend, but will not be attending this event… because he is a coward.

After loosing all of the data on my PocketPC for the 3rd time in as many weeks, I have switched back to my Palm Pilot. Although it lacks some bells-and-whistles (and has pitiful backlighting), it is far more convenient and reliable.

- Duane

Gina and I spent this past weekend on a “vacation at home.” We agreed to do no “work” stay away from computers, avoid couch potato-ing and scheduled several outings. We watched Hellboy and enjoyed sushi, tempura, and bento goodness from Totoro (Ann Arbor) on Friday night.

Saturday, we made breakfast, went for a walk with Kacey and worked on a new song idea (with Garageband, Digital Performer, and some MOTU hardware… so much for the anti-computer angle). Saturday night, we had dinner at Tribute in Farmington Hills. It was impressive in every way: food, wine, and cost ;-). Richard, the Sommelier, invited us into the kitchen before we left. It was everything I imagined a five-star restaurant kitchen to be. Spotless, efficient, and well-organized.

Sunday, we originally planned to visit Greenfield Village, but scrapped that in favor of miniature golf. Gina beat me by 4 strokes. Curses. We the drove around Plymouth, stopped at Daly’s Drive-in and had dinner. We worked on some music a little more, and called it a weekend. A nice change from the usual panicked pace we keep.

P.S. – I’m working a sorely needed redesign for this site. More on that soon…

- Duane