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In one of my posts I’ve complaint that I feel too old for reading King. But now I’ve changed my mind. Stephen King is getting old and he is nothing like wine. I’ve recently read The Long Walk (BTW first book I’ve read on my Kindle:)) and now I’m reading Salem’s Lot, and must say that I’m amazed. These books are really good, so I’m still in mood for good horror book, but my favorite author is not writing them anymore. I can see that he switched to mode known as “good enough”. His newest novels are not bad, still better than books of many other writers, but for King they’re average. In his old books he put this depth when describing characters and reader could really feel the spirit of small towns where usually action is based. However it’s hard to tell for somebody like me who never lived in typical American town. I don’t feel this in his new novels. But maybe it’s temporary and it’ll be better, everyone has ups and downs. I hope so as he’s still my favorite writer. And if not I still have a lot of his old books to read in my queue:)

I want to promote Brno a little and Polish team in this city as well, so I’m posting video below. Enjoy!

Today address for my blog changes from blog.ccna.net.pl to blog.liox.eu. Starting November ccna.net.pl wouldn’t work anymore.

Yes, my new Kindle is here! And it’s awesome. Browser is even more functional than I thought, I was able to access any page I’ve wanted, of course no flash. Reading experience is great, but I would be able to tell if it really don’t make your eyes tired after reading little more, now I’m just playing with features generally. Keyboard is alright, but if I would have tried to write this post on it I would definitely gone mental. Exchange OWA is working well on this device, in light mode.
Text is clear and I had no problems with reading it. However my wife who is wearing glasses complained that it could be brighter. I can’t tell much at these stage as I’m just beginning my adventure with Kindle, but I’ll try to write some bigger review after week or two. For now I don’t see any disadvantages, but it’s typical with new toys.
Big plus for Amazon for delivering it so fast. When I was ordering it was written on the page that they would start shipping it from 24th of September or earlier, and here it’s 21st and they not only shipped it, but I already have it in my hands:) True professionalism.

Yes, after months of reading about it. After many pros and cons being reviewed in my mind, and after claiming on this blog that I don’t want it anymore:) I’ve finally ordered it from Amazon. Of course 3G option as I would like to have access to Internet anywhere. I must admit that it was mainly the price which made my mind, previously it was horribly expensive (as for me) and wasn’t offering all I want from such device. Now they’ve not only upgraded it, but it’s also reasonably priced, at last. One thing is bad though, I would not have a case:( I was about to order one, but then I’ve glanced on Import Fees and it was more than case itself. So, no way sir, I’m not paying 120$ for the case just because I’m not lucky enough to live in USA and must pay Import Fees. Anyway, I’m very happy and hope that it will arrive soon (however, they will ship it after September 24th:() and in one piece.

I’m now reading Everything’s Eventual by Stephen King and before starting it I’ve read Duma Key (this title was translated into Polish as “Master’s Hand” BTW., sic!). And I must say I wasn’t impressed. Sure Duma is OK, very good story, nice characters and it’s keeping you thrilled, but ending is disappointing. Everything’s Eventual is a pack of short stories, so it’s hard to rate it as a whole, but it’s rather average. There are great stories like The Little Sisters of Eluria and Everything’s Eventual, but rest is at best OK. Nice to read, but I don’t feel this “fuck, this guy is brilliant” feeling anymore. I steel have four stories to go, so maybe it will be better, hope so. But anyway I’m worried is it me (getting old and not able to enjoy such sort of literature anymore) or just these two pieces of King’s work are not too good. I wonder, and I really hope I’ll, if I’ll ever be so impressed by his novels (stories) as when reading Dreamcatcher (warning, movie is one big crap), The Tommyknockers or Pet Sematary. I’ve bought Under the Dome and it’s still untouched on my shelf as I’m worried that if it will not have the old magic I would stop reading the master. But maybe I just need a rest while reading something else, maybe…

With the release of Exchange 2010 Microsoft introduced new Outlook Web Access App (OWA), BTW. I’ve preferred old name. It’s quite amazing improvement and here is the list of things I like the most:

1. Tick boxes when selecting messages. Now you can simply select multiple items without necessity of holding Control button. Really nice functionality, I wonder why Outlook 2010 doesn’t have it?
   

What would you think about the person who by any means is a sinner, but never harmed innocent. And never was indifferent when somebody was hurting those who can’t fight back. Does this man, even as he is full of sin, deserve to go to heaven? Can all people who were saved by him erase his misdeeds?
That were the questions I’ve asked myself today after seeing Bill Hickock being shot in the back of his head by some trash. This character from Deadwood was very deep. Entire show is quite interesting, but I will really miss this great gunman. I must admit that for the moment I’ve got a piece of doubt to his morals, I’m talking about the scene when he accepts offer from the saloon owner to trick the poor (well not so poor actually) widow. But he quickly recovered in my eyes and died in style. It was a death of a man who knew that he doesn’t fit to normal life, and has understanding that is getting too old to keep old habits. So he writes letter to his wife and goes to the bar to wait for destiny to do its job.
Yes Ladies and Gentlemen, I’m impressed by the personality of Mr. Hickock (and artistry of Keith Carradine). I prefer better one man who is sinner, but will never let good man die if he has anything to say, than hundred of people who live by the laws of faith, but don’t care about the others. True God’s man is the one who will fight the beast to protect the lamb, not the one who is bowing head in front of the altar and then turning it away to not see suffering of others.

One of many great things about Mac is that you can do a lot of stuff just after launching your computer for the first time. So here is another one, you can create iso image of your CD/DVD just using apps which are already in the OS. Lets start then:

1. Put the disk into your drive.
2. Go to Apps -> Utilities -> Disk Utility.
3. Choose your disk from the list on the left and click New Image.
4. Browse to location where you want to save the image, put the filename you desire and select DVD/CD master as Image Format.
   It would create cdr image, so now you need to convert it to iso. You can do it with single command in Terminal:
   hdiutil makehybrid -iso -joliet -o .iso .cdr
   That’s it. You have created iso image of your disk without using any third party software! Isn’t it just great.