Apple’s Multi-Touch Trackpad for iMac

I’ve read a few reviews of the Magic Mouse and find it unfortunate that the functionality of the multi-touch trackpad on my MacBook is not available on the Magic Mouse. It sounds like a bit of a nerfed interface that comes across somewhat disappointing. So here’s an idea – why not create a wireless trackpad that retains all the functionality and replaces your mouse. (Although you’d have to do a LOT to make me replace my Logitech MX Revolution, now updated!)

The mouse is a wonderful invention and the multi-touch trackpad on my MacBook is the first device of its kind that I actually use. Generally the first thing I do when I get a laptop is buy a suitable mouse to go with it. Now there’s finally a device that comes with my laptop that doesn’t make me curse it’s inclusion and replace it immediately. Sure you couldn’t really use a trackpad like the one above for gaming like you can with Microsoft’s concept multi-touch mice, but for all other work activities it would be suitable except for where an actual tablet is required.

In the picture above, of the wireless Trackpad, there’s space for your palm to rest on that can serve as the storage area for the batteries.

I’d love a trackpad like this for my desktop.

Wouldn’t you?

New logo for Urban Mystic

One of the designers in our emerging community has redesigned the logo for Urban Mystic. Here’s the end result of several weeks of exploring. This has been an exciting process to be part of, having had chance to look at a number of work-in-progress concepts. I really like this, what do you think?

Faith and Proof

I’ve recently re-watched Horton Hears a Who, one of my favourite animations. Not only does it capture the artwork in Dr. Seuss’ books but it also happens to contain some of the best dialogue around faith and evidence, or faith and experience.

Redesigning Urban Mystic

I recently sat down with a professional designer. We worked through a 101 Q&A sheet to work through not only my design preferences but also a complete overview of what exactly Urban Mystic is.

I’m very excited.

Firstly, this represents a shift from trying to ‘do it all myself.’ Secondly, it means I’m likely to drop the “the,” so now “Urban Mystic” rather than “The Urban Mystic.” Thirdly, this means I get to take Urban Mystic a bit more seriously, picturing where its headed and how we’re going to get there.

MS Office 2010 Preview

Today just got a bit more exciting! I’m downloading the Technical Preview for MS Office 2010. I had to apply to test it, as opposed to testing Windows 7 Release Candidate where I could simply log on and downloaded it.

Office 2008 : Mac

For the most part I’m really happy with Office 2008 for the Mac. It’s a great product – arguably as good as Office 2007 for PC. I do find, though, that the toolbox is a great feature that could’ve been better.

Size matters, and the toolbox is just too small.

MacBook Touch

I’ve had my MacBook for just under two weeks now and have finally made peace with it. The OS and dyslexia of the CTRL, CMD and ALT keys are still frustrating but the aluminium chassis and battery life rocks. Drawing inspiration from the iPhone and iPod Touch I’ve come up with a Tablet design and loosely called it t he MacBook Touch or Itablet.

Bring on the MacBook

I’ve always sworn off Mac. To me those who own and love their Macs are like snobby people in clubs, not unlike those who surf. There’s an attitude an image that goes along with the hardware, a snobbery of ‘lesser people’. Sure the design looks cool and the build quality is fantastic but the MacVangelists are a little too much – especially as I’ve gotten half the processing power, memory and hard drive space of a competitively priced high end machine.

BaT Design

I really love the creative process – from concept to frustration to fruition. Here’s the logo for my design company. Both Bev and I have been thinking for a long, long time about doing more design work. We’re finally stepping up to the task!

I’ve been quiet

There are definately times in life when real world conversation takes precedence over online conversation and this has been one of those seasons for me. This post is personal rather than abstract and I’m guessing that this year many of my posts will also be personal rather than theoretical.

I’ve finally settled on a Masters in Theology, or rather the sub-discipline focusing on Christian Spirituality. I’m going to be doing some grounded research into people’s actual experience of Godde today – not what the Bible says or the theory that we talk about but the actual in’s and out’s of what people’s relationship with Godde looks like in practice. The goal is to understand how better to enable small and medium sized gatherings of people to pursue intimacy with Godde together.

So this year I’ll be doing all the background reading I need to, designing and testing the interviews, and then doing interviews with a small group of people. Next year I’ll be submitting all of that as my ‘research proposal’ (Which is the bulk of the work) and producing my thesis.

A couple of us have also been talking through the Divine Feminine Version of the NT, or DFV. You can read up a bit about at the website. At this stage we’re working toward a version of the Gospel of Matthew. The goal is to gather support and criticism for the project to shape it to be the best it can be. I’m looking forward to us ‘getting there’ so that we can go further with it.