Monday, April 28, 2014

New 2015 Dodge Challenger and Charger

Get a look at the new 2015 models of the Dodge Challenger and the Charger.  These debuted at the New Your International Auto Show.  I am not sure if it is wise to update both of the flagship cars from Dodge.  Challenger needed a minor refresh, and it is fantastic.  Challenger is a true retro sports car, unmistakable looks and retro design. Charger was done just redone ~ 4 years ago.  I would have rather saw Charger redone next year.  I really like the Challenger and I need some more time for the Charger.  I don't think the Dart like grill is aggressive enough to qualify as a sports car anymore.  But I do still like the Charger, the rear lights and the coke bottle side.  Perhaps they should have donned a hood scoop of some kind on the Charger.





Thursday, April 17, 2014

2015 Challenger Debut at New York Auto Show


From Carbuzz.com:

Dodge has revealed the 2015 Challenger at the New York Auto Show, announcing the refreshed model is available in eight different trims: SXT, SXT Plus, R/T, R/T Plus, R/T Shaker, R/T Plus Shaker, 6.4-liter Scat Pack and 392 HEMI Scat Pack Shaker. All boast refreshed styling inspired by the 1971 Challenger, an upgraded suspension, plusher interiors and an optional TorqueFlite eight-speed auto.

Ford Mustang Debut 50 Years Ago

From Automobile Magazine:

The 1960s saw two major trends unfold that would dramatically affect the new-car market, and the Ford Mustang was designed to capitalize on both. The first shift was the changing demographic landscape, with the leading edge of the baby boomers starting to reach driving age. In 1964, the 16-to-24-year-old age group was the fastest growing in America. Young people did not want to drive the kind of cars their parents drove. They wanted bucket seats, floor shifts, and the sporty feeling of being close to the road. (What a difference from young drivers today.) The second trend was the massive increase in two-car households. In 1959, only a million families had more than one car; by 1964, that number had skyrocketed to thirteen million.

Read more: http://www.automobilemag.com/features/news/1404-on-this-day-ford-mustang-debut/


Thursday, April 10, 2014

Evidence that Apple is Imploding.


Back on Sept 2013 I noted how awful IOS7 appeared, and that without Steve Jobs, Apple will start a slow decline into the abyss.  Seems that I could be correct, with the exit of key Apple User Interface Chief Greg Christie.  He was the driving force to the brilliant interfaces pre IOS7, under Jobs.

http://weblinksnewsletter.blogspot.com/2013/09/iphone-ios-7-versus-ios-6.html

See the announcement that Greg Christie is leaving Apple.

http://www.maclife.com/article/news/apple_ui_chief_greg_christie_leaving_apple_allegedly_following_clashes_jony_ive

Windows XP - Say Goodbye to the Best

Windows XP support has ended.  XP is still used and running 30% or more of the back end systems and infrastructure we know today, from bank machines to cash registers.  Home users still run it.  Commercial companies and government agencies still use it.  Support ends April 15th, and that makes for a 13 year run that will be unparalleled.  No Operating System in the Microsoft fold has or probably will measure up to the intuitive, simple yet powerful interface that Windows XP sports.  It runs on old slower hardware or high end devices, uses high or low end graphics well, has a driver for almost any piece of hardware out there right now, and is robust enough to handle heavy loads, especially the lesser known 64 bit variant, which lacked the driver support XP was popularly known for.  Ok for all of the Windows XP haters, many of who will say I am crazy as a loon for my nod to Windows XP unparalleled immortality...  What is poised to take XP's place?  Not Vista, nor Windows 7, which both are resource piggies, even 7 is not as nearly stable and overall functional, nor is it easier to configure than XP, and Windows 8 saw productivity fall through the floor with its introduction of a fashionably trendy row blocks and text that resembled graphics on an old Dos shell.  If you want to get something done, XP was and is the OS of choice.  If you want pretty yet buggy, try Vista, if you want function but glacier slow shaded graphics and transitions, try Windows 7, if you want bland and easy to read but don't need multitasking (buzz word kiddies, from the 80s and 90s) go with Windows 8.  If you want to do computing, calculations, conversions, real work, or system to network transfers... XP is the winner.  To be productive, XP is still hands down the best.  If you want to slow down, to watch pretty videos or pictures, and experience gee whiz doo dads, XP is not for you.  It should have been an easy decision for Microsoft to continue support, even cheap support, such as a low cost extended warranty and continued pay as you go general support.  But no, they would rather dump millions into an effort to control the customer, instead of helping them get something done.  This is the trend today with all technology companies, to force you to do what they want you to, yet pay extra for it - Sneaky huh?  Shame is that XP is a champion OS that we may not see again in our lifetime, maybe never again if tablets do finally conquer the hearts and minds of XP lovers, since XP is no longer a contender, that can now happen.


Wednesday, April 09, 2014

Ultimate Warrior Passes at Age 54! WWE Hall of Fame Member 2014!

Just days after his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame, the Ultimate Warrior, real name Jim Hellwig, dies at the age of 54.  Best known for his over the top cryptic interviews, and high energy matches, the Ultimate Warrior was one of the most well known and remembered.

Ultimate Warrior HOF

Seen here during his WWE Video Game announcement of his inclusion in the WWE-2K14

WWE-2K14