I'm looking at buying a notebook and want to spend no more than $3k CDN before tax. My big decision is size and weight vs. power and screen size.

With my camera I choose size and as a result it's always with me. My phone I choose power and so far reception has been great (except for when we got lost (the first time) while I was talking to Bob on some back road).

I'll primarily being trudging a notebook between my place and Natalie's and it'll be great to have it when I go on trips. I know I won't be using it actually in my classes but it might be nice to have it on campus. So I think mobility is important.

My primary computing function will be surfing, emailing, and connecting to remote machines for work. I most likely will not be compiling code on it just editing.

My mine brand focus is the Dell Insipiron (so the question is which line/model do I choose?). I'd prefer a IBM Thinkpad but they're too pricey.
[2:14:17 PM] []

I updated some of the links of the side.
[1:27:33 PM] []

Julie Cormie is excited about her new 2001 Honda Civic as is my sister who just got a 1997? Civic. Ah to not be the oldest child. You see our younger sisters spent years crying that life wasn't fair but now the tables have turned as John and I are getting hand-me-down's such as a 1996 Neon and a 1984 Omega.
[12:50:04 PM] []

We're finally getting a a wireless network on campus. Problem is that it's only in one building (the Davis Centre). Now according to Maclean's Magazine we're reputationally Canada's top university and we kick ass in lots of international competitions and yet it always baffles me how behind we are. Ivey got wireless back in '98 (Ivey is one of Canada's top biz schools).

Last year I hung out with two Ivey girls who told me all about their classes in which laptops are required. Their professor expects the students to look up information on the Internet while in class to help raise the quality of in class discussion. They're also expected to post their thoughts and opinions to class discussions boards if some kid is blabbing away for too long. It's taking interactivity to a whole new level. It also means you could watch DVDs, email, and IM if the class got boring which puts pressure on the prof to make class worthwhile.

A wireless network would also decrease the congestion in the labs when assignments are due. Now of course we all have high speed net connections at home but as a result of everyone having high speed connections it means they all suck and some days it's invariably a better use of your time to go work in a lab then from home on a so called high speed line.

For the record: I want a campus wide wireless network and am more than willing to pay for it.
[11:49:31 AM] []

Last night we escaped prime time by going for a road trip to Albany, NY to see American Pie 2. MapQuest directions in hand and we were off. Only problem was that once we got close to Albany Natalie called me up on my cell and I was too busy paying close attention to her and was unable to give John the directions he needed so we took the wrong exit and then got lost. See we didn't have a real map so as soon as we deviated from MapQuest's directions we were screwed. We ended up back tracking and re-tracking which cost us probably 45 minutes (it was only suppose to take us a little over an hour to get there) and a couple bucks in tolls. Fortunately we were headed for a mall with 30 screens so AP2 was playing every 30 minutes.
[11:14:01 AM] []

As we pulled away two nights ago from the farm after a monumental day John queued up 'Another Midnight' by The Hip (lyrics, stream).
[11:05:00 AM] []