clanMcGraw.com

Brian’s deli.cio.us links for July 30th:

• Slashdot | Review of Sun’s Free Open Source Virtual Machine - This looks pretty cool to play around with.
• Watching the Growth of Walmart Across America - Cool video. Hard to believe, though, that Alabama didn’t have a single Wal-Mart until 1980.

Interesting. Imagine you’re a software company. A big one. You have a program that is used by millions of people worldwide. It has, overall, a positive acceptance in the market. You spend lots of time designing an even better program to replace one that is used by millions of people worldwide. However, when you roll it out, it’s general feedback is negative, due to defects and software incompatibility.

People choose not to upgrade to your new program. You then cancel support on your old program, thereby forcing people to either migrate to your new program or - *gasp* - be unsupported. People still refuse to migrate.

So do you spend time and effort on correcting the issues that gave your program a negative spin? Re-enable support to the broad user base that you’ve isolated, until you can work out a stop-gap solution? Or why not start a PR campaign to convince people that everything they’ve heard about your program is wrong?

Ladies and Gentlemen… The Mojave Experiment.

Almost makes me want to buy a Mac.

(HT: Co-Worker “Rock-a-little-Harder” Mike)

In celebration of Pastor Jodey putting the Camp Branch Baptist Church sermons online - the BranchCast I decided to go through my iTunes library and export the lists of Podcasts that I’m currently subscribed to. You’ll see them in the Podcasts category on the left.

Now, this is not everything that I listen to. It’s just what I’ve enjoyed so much that I subscribed to them. There are a couple of shows that I listen to periodically (WeatherBrains and Gun Nuts - The Next Generation, to name a few) that fall into that category.

Tastes change over time, but hopefully I’ll remember to update the Podcast links periodically.

(* Apologies to Rick and Bubba for mangling their infamous “Hey, Buddy… You’re Broadcasting” line.)

As I’ve blogged about before, I’m a fan of CMT’s My Big Redneck Wedding. So this morning, imagine my excitement when I saw a casting call for participants in Season 2. From CMT’s website…

Pink Sneakers is currently casting for the hit series My Big Redneck Wedding for broadcast on CMT. This show will document the planning and preparation it takes to pull off a truly fun, down-to-earth, redneck nuptial. From denim wedding dresses, to camouflage tuxedos, shotgun salutes and arriving at the reception on an ATV — anything goes, as long as it’s rowdy and redneck

We are currently looking for couples who:
* Appear to be between the ages of 18 and 45.
* Over the top personalities.
* Are planning a super redneck wedding.
* Have a set date between August and November.
* Would like to share their lives and wedding day with us.
* Are redneck and proud of it.

We are scheduled to begin shooting immediately, so if you or anyone you know meets this criteria, please e-mail us at redneckwedding@pinksneakers.net . Please be sure to include your name, contact information, wedding location and a photo of the bride and groom.

Should you have any additional questions regarding the show, our intentions or to learn more about the show, please feel free to contact us at any time. Time is of the essence, so please contact us as soon as possible.

Well, obviously, unless Amanda agrees to a divorce, I’m out of the question for this one. But then I saw that they’re also planning a Christmas Special:

My Big Redneck Christmas

Pink Sneakers is currently casting for My Big Redneck Christmas. The show will document a family’s preparation and celebration for the Christmas holiday. We’re looking for outrageous redneck Christmas decorations, wacky traditions and heart-warming families. From shotgun shell ornaments, to monster truck tree toppers, spiked eggnog treats, and rockin’ reindeer games — anything goes, as long as it’s ringing with redneck joy.

We’re currently looking for:
* Fun and crazy family traditions.
* Energetic personalities.
* Families that want to share their Christmas with us.
* Rednecks that are loud and proud.

We are casting immediately so please e-mail us at redneckchristmas@pinksneakers.net. Please be sure to include your name, contact information, a quick rundown of a typical Christmas at your home and photos.

Man, oh, man. Imagine the possibilities…

It’s been a long week. Let’s throw out a quick Friday 5.

1. When you go to the beach, lake, or pool, are you more likely to lower yourself gradually into cold water or to take a determined plunge and get it over with? I’m a plunge-in type guy. But if the water’s too cold, I’m not getting near it.

2. How is this like (or unlike) your approach to other tasks or ordeals? I’m a plunge-in head first guy there as well. Usually I’m able to swim or tread water.

3. When someone gives you flowers, are you more likely to let them turn completely brown and gross before throwing them out, or to discard them the moment they take on that sick-flower look? Heh. I don’t get flowers too often. But I’m a toss’em when they look sick guy.

4. How is this like (or unlike) your approach to other gifts, purchases, or relationships? Depends on how much I value that gift/purchase/relationship.

5. Think of your favorite movie (or a movie you really like, if you can’t think of a favorite). Some people say that the reasons you love your favorite movie are related to what you value in romantic relationships. How is this true or untrue in your case? One movie I’ve been watching a lot lately is 300. So from that, I’ll say that I value commitment, devotion, laughing in the face of danger, courage, decisiveness and a “can-do” attitude instead of a “should have” attitude.

You Are Not a Wimp

In fact, you are an incredibly tough person. Your nerves do not get the better of you. You don’t back down from challenges or intimidating situations. You love the thrill of conquer… so much so that it outweighs the fear of defeat.

If the quiz had said otherwise, the monitor would have a .45 caliber hole in it.

I was checking my Twitter homepage a few minutes ago, and saw the 2 items almost side by side:

Slashdot: IT Jobs To Drop In 2009

abc3340: Grave Shortage

Either IT folks are dropping like flies, or the two news items are not related.

I’m a huge Muppets fan. Maybe because I’m a kid a heart, maybe because I used to do puppetry at Church many, many years ago. Regardless, I was excited to hear talk of a new TV show and/or movie coming up. Supposedly, Disney is using YouTube for a viral marketing campaign. So, like The Disney Blog, I’m doing my part to spread the word:

(HT: The Disney Blog)

I appreciate the fact that you’re a new realtor in a struggling market. I appreciate the fact that you’re trying to drum up business by soliciting those that you consider “friends,” even though I would personally put us more in the “casual acquaintance” category.

But wanting to come by and talk to us about finding out our homes’ value, “once we’re settled in from having the new baby?” C’mon. Maybe “casual acquaintance” is being generous.