I was surprised to learn that Google Maps was referring to Taiwan as a “province of China.” After all, how can there be room on a map for such a long label? It turned out the map itself only ever labeled Taiwan as Taiwan, but up until Monday, there was a space to the left …
Author Archives: Jimmy Lin
Kepler’s Books reopens
A miracle happens: Kepler's Books is saved! And in a timely article, the San Jose Mercury News describes how several independent bookstores have adapted to survive the chain bookstore and Internet era, including the Berkeley institution Cody's taking the gutsy move of opening a branch in Union Square.
Blue Angels
My mom and I went to see the Fleet Week air show today, including the Blue Angels. What a show! The weather was perfect, and the view was great from Crissy Field, with plenty of parking at the Main Post in the Presidio. I haven’t seen the Blue Angels for about nine years, so I’d …
Microsoft Office user interface blog
I mentioned last month that Microsoft is overhauling the user interface of the next version of Office. Now member of the Office user experience team, Jensen Harris, has a blog all about Office’s UI, both its past and its future. It contains some good insight into how Office’s UI has evolved, how they are designing …
Ubicomp city
From the New York Times: A ubiquitous city is where all major information systems (residential, medical, business, governmental and the like) share data, and computers are built into the houses, streets and office buildings. New Songdo, located on a man-made island of nearly 1,500 acres off the Incheon coast about 40 miles from Seoul, is …
Hillary’s journey to the center
What’s Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton doing hanging out with Newt Gingrich, co-sponsoring bills with Rick Santorum and Bill Frist? Pundits say that she’s drifting to the center in preparation for a presidential candidacy. But Matt Bai argues in the New York Times that she is being true to her ideology, shaped by a Methodist upbringing …
I’m eligible for what?
Here’s one of the more amusing letters I’ve gotten recently: Dear Mr Jimmy Lin, Our records show that you haven’t yet registered for the benefits of AARP membership, even thought you are fully eligible…. I know I’ve been a grad student for a long time, but still…
Vasona Light Rail line
On Saturday, Jonathan and I went to the grand opening of the Vasona Light Rail line, which runs from downtown San Jose to Campbell [photos]. It was packed. At 11, they started the speeches. I leaned over and saw the schedule — there were a lot of politicians lining up for their turn. We decide …
iPod Nano
I finally saw an iPod Nano in person for the first time today. Holy moly, it’s even smaller in real life! The Nano is the first iPod to really wow me — undoubtedly it’s the MP3 player to beat (although the new Sony Walkmans look intriguing). So what if the Nano might be a little …
Grand openings — updated
An updated list of grand openings I’m keeping my eye on: Guadalupe River Park and Gardens: Saturday, September 10 Vasona VTA Light Rail Extension: Saturday, October 1 San Jose’s new City Hall: Saturday, October 15 De Young Museum: Sunday, October 16 (it actually opens on the 15th, but this is close enough)