System i Addict

I just wanted to say Merry Christmas to everyone. I think this is going to be the last blog post of the year for me unless I get some free time.  I really appreciate all the support over the past year, all the random hits and encouragement. I love the people that visit my blog and make it better.

As most of you know we are right now in the middle of moving. The packers will be here in less than 2 days to put all our stuff in a truck and move it to the east coast near Charlotte, NC. I am so excited about the move and yet I think I need a vacation from my vacation.  I am looking forward to next year and all the new adventures on the east coast, Disney, Washington DC, Civil War Monuments and other exciting stuff.

I truley do hope everyone out there has a very magnificent Christmas, and a Happy New Year! I can’t wait to be in Savannah soon and have a deep south Christmas with Michael and Beth, oh and my very patient Mom and Dad.

Best Philanthropy Award 2008- While I am sure they all worked hard at the award, It’s probably all Chris Whisonant doing. Just kidding. Congrates to Lotus911, they are an Atlanta based company and they do lots of great things with Lotus Notes, and have some great people working there.

More Awards Here 

So I was looking at my stats and stuff and saw a link back to HERE. PlanetLotus.org? What is that?

“Planet Lotus is an aggregation of Lotus related blogs and news. It acquaints those interested in the Lotus Blogisphere with the best blogs out there. For more information on blog planets check out: Planet (software) at wikipedia.org. Please note: this site was not built with planetplanet as is talked about in the wiki post.”

Here is the About. finally one place I can get all my Lotus Stuff from at one time, and I am sure someone is going to post, David you idiot you could have done this yourself or this site has been up for ages, but I didn’t know and know I am telling you. Ed is talking about it too so I don’t feel like I am behind.

Thanks Yancy for this site, and keep up the good work.

I just wanted to post some links for all the Audi Lookers. Looks like Audi is going to Join Porsche, Ferarri and BMW in the racing ring and with the R8 looking like a smash hit production car, the racing version is even hotter. I hope to see them this summer at Road Atlanta. LINK TO STORY ON TOPGEAR

Link to www.cr-8.com 

So if you come here from time to time you will know I am an Audi Fan. While I have not had an Audi since 2001 I am still a fan of they do and the cars they produce, plus the R10 racing car that just rocks.

While I have been driving a car that will not be named, I have been looking at getting my wife a new car. She has had a Volvo S80 since 1999 and it’s been a great car. No major trouble other than an alternator, rubber engine mount and some strut bearings. Nothing major but some issues. It’s still a great car even with 120K plus miles (193 121.666 244 kilometers) on it. We really like the Volvo XC90, it’s Volvo’s SUV, but it’s not really an SUV at all. On the highway it gets over 27 MPG and has a V6 with a turbo that is very responsive so such a big car. The biggest plus is that Volvo just makes cars you feel safe in. The Volvo has areas of steal around the center of the car where you sit, that the Jaws of Life can’t cut. So when Volvo says you are safe, you are safe.

While I was on the lot my eye caught this Volvo S60R that is just gorgeous. I was drawn to it. It’s a 2005 S60R and just looks devine. They made the mistake of letting me test drive it and now I am in love. The 300HP engine is perky to say the least. It does not like going slow. You tap the gas and it does what you just told it, it goes. I think the draw for me to this car is the looks first of all and the safety. To top it all off the performance is just wonderful. It also has three suspension settings, comfort, sport and advanced. While I like my bottom to get a nice ride, there are times on certain roads when a good tight hard suspension would be in order. The advanced setting is just super tight with a little give here and they but make the car so responsive in the corners. I am sold on the Volvo S60R. It’s a very inviting bit of car, and it’s a little expensive new, but used it not such a bad price. So I may in fact be looking at a new ride for me, but the wife of course comes first. She has been driving the same wonderful Volvo for over 9 years and she deserves something a little newer, but it never hurts to make both of us happy, plus life is way to short not to go fast and enjoy it.

Was doing some looking around and noticed that the FreeBSD Foundation made it earnings goal for 2007. That is great new. Thanks to all who helped out. LINK

About the Foundation:

The FreeBSD Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and building the FreeBSD Project and community worldwide. The Foundation gratefully accepts donations from individuals and businesses, using them to fund and manage projects, sponsor FreeBSD events, Developer Summits and provide travel grants to FreeBSD developers.

In addition, the Foundation represents the FreeBSD Project in executing contracts, license agreements, copyrights, trademarks, and other legal arrangements which require a recognized legal entity. The FreeBSD Foundation is entirely supported by donations.

The FreeBSD Foundation will support both the development and the popularization of FreeBSD, the world’s best open source operating system.

Lets start thinking about next year and Version 7

I am just posting a link and I think that all I need to do. LINK

Link to Blog on ITKE

I will be blogging over there about System i. Please show up and read it. I hope to make it very cool.

IBM is working hard to get a new version of Symphony out to all of you who need a product to get your work done. These are the same products that come integrated into Lotus Notes 8. I can go ahead and tell you I am a big supporter of them and think over the next few years this is going to replace Microsoft Office.It already beats it in the cost area, and does have some problems but for the most part is getting better with each release. I do have one problem, and this seems to be an ongoing theme with IBM and Lotus, when are they going to get it together and develop their software for all platforms at the same time. While i I applaud the release for Linux I don’t understand why there is no Mac release either. Does IBM think I like running Office on my Mac? Do they think there is no market? To that I add how do you know since you have done everything you can to ignore the Mac even after you made the PowerPC chips for Apple.It’s time for the world to start to see the power of Macs and the stability of the platform and start addressing them as viable desktop operating systems. Vista is a flop and Office 2007 is a big pain in the arse. I have been forced to use it at college and it’s a huge pain to use. Not what you are used to and buggy to boot.I am looking forward to the GA release of IBM Lotus Symphony, keep up the good work guys and get that Mac version out soon. 

I was out of town all week in Team Meetings. I got a chance to meet everyone on my team I work with now. We are spread all over the globe. It was very nice. So as Vitor knows we were busy. I will catch up over the weekend. Have a good one.