This week, the running has been tough. This is the first significant increase in mileage, from 3 to 4. It is amazing how much more one mile feels. I am starting to get used to the running, possibly due to new arch inserts, they are really helping my shin splints.

The past couple of runs have been interesting, very cold, rainy, snowy. I have now pretty much run in every type of weather that is possible during the marathon, now it is just a matter of fine tuning what I wear, how much I drink, etc.

Work has also had some difficult patches. I have had a run in with the executive VP over some design elements on a project. In reality, he and I have not had any of these run-ins in person, they have all been by proxy, but it has been every uncomfortable.

The problem is having to clean up a mess that has been previously created. I didn’t have anything to do with the original design on this project, but with a “critical” error in the project, I have had to redesign/recreate the design without the original elements.

Just goes to show that bad design should be stopped before anyone sees it, because people will fall in love with the idea, not necessarily the design.

[UPDATE: There is a follow on post to Anti-Sven with some Sven-like services. http://jeredb.com/productivity/sven-like-services/ ]

“If you can’t get a Sven in 2008, get an AT&T smart phone”

You don’t really need a Sven. As appealing as having a large Swede following me around could be, I have built systems in my life that make Sven unnecessary, and you don’t have to sign up for a two year contract.”

Anti-Sven Tip

Useful Landmines (a term I first learned of from Merlin Mann) are one of the simplest things that can be done every day.

Trying to remember my lunch in the morning? Put it in front of the door. That way I trip over it as I leave

I do same thing when I’m leaving work, put things in my jacket sleeves, making sure that I don’t forget them.

Watch for more Anti-Sven tips over the next few weeks.

Starting with the original “Bondi Blue” iMac and specifically since releasing the iMac G5, Apple has had an obsession with reducing the cables around the computer. Using bluetooth keyboards and mice, and integrating the monitor and the CPU into a single device, Apple has managed to remove all but the power cable from their computers.

Today Apple released the Macbook Air, the “thinnest notebook”. A person wanting to reduce clutter may think that this would be an excellent option for a new computer. But if you look at what is required for the “average” user to make the most of the computer, it does not add up.

What comes in the box?

The Macbook Air comes with two mini-DVI video adapters, a power cable and a cleaning rag in addition to the computer. They also toss in install/restore DVD.

What’s not in the box?

In order to use the install/restore DVD one would need a CD/DVD drive, the Macbook Air doesn’t come with one. You can buy an external one, but that is on additional thing to store in a desk drawer or carry along with you.

To over come this, Apple has developed a remote CD drive software, but that means you have to have a spare computer sitting around (not very decluttered). Not to mention if you want to watch a DVD. I know it is just like the iPod, a plug to sell music, the lack of an integrated optical drive is to reduce size, but also to push the iTunes rentals.

I have a fairly reliable wireless network, but at work it is much more reliable to plug into the wall, which may also be the case if you are traveling or don’t want to connect to an insecure wifi access point.

The Macbook Air is primarily a wifi computer, with a USB to Ethernet adapter available, and while it may be slow for the computer geeks out there (only 10/100 Mbps), it really creates more of a problem than it solves.

The lack of ports

The Macbook Air’s biggest flaw is the limited number of USB ports (not to mention the complete lack of firewire). I can either get on a wired network, or sync my iPhone, or plug in a printer, or download pictures from my camera, or use an external keyboard, or use a wired mouse.

I know most of those can be solved by spending the money on a battery draining bluetooth keyboard or mouse, or buying a wifi printer (or adding a wireless print hub, which is another piece of equipment, sensing a theme?) or worst of all, adding an external USB hub.

The last possibility means that you might not only have to lug around your devices (USB thumb drive, etc.), but also a hub, which will probably need an external power supply, thus adding more cables.

Conclusion

While I like the idea of a super thin laptop, one that lets the user live in the Internet cloud, the Macbook Air is one or two generations removed from that device. The Macbook Air is designed to push downloadable media and could create a lot more clutter in my house than a single Macbook or Macbook Pro, with all of the caveats and add-ons that may be required to use it in the manner that I, and most Mac users, are comfortable with.

In the continued expansion of my duties at work, I have been assigned/volunteered to be the back for the the webmaster when it comes to emergency notification. This really gets me in deep with the what is happening. Essentially, if the webmaster is out of contact, I get the call to push out changes to the webpage/text messages. A lot of responsibility for lowly ole me.

The interesting thing about this is I get to be involved in the discussions surrounding the implementation of these emergency contact systems

In this vein, I have to discuss the false raising of expectations.

While trying to get our text message system up and running, the concept of a parents list has been heavy on everyone’s mind, specifically in the aftermath of Virginia Tech. Our definition of the parents list is exactly the same as a concerned member of the populace, no verification of child enrollment, no distinction in mesages sent.

I have a real problem with this approach, it raises the expectations of parents, leading them to believe that they will get special messages. This is false based on the protocols that have been established for text messages. With out divulging any secret information, parents will always have a different definition of a emergency that warrants a text message than the emergencies that have been defined. By creating a parents list, we are feeding that impression, which will create a problem the first time there is a “major” crisis.

By raising expectations, without increasing communications, we are making our chances of failure greater

Run Summary
Date and Time:	January 7 & 9 ~ 6 pm
Weather:	Warmer than average, both days
Humidity:	Moderate humidity
Wind:	Light breezes
Distance:	3 miles (1/7), 3 miles (1/9)
Miles this week:	6
Running Location:	Home 3 miler
GPS died half way through run…
Food before:	Some Fritos… I know very healthy
Comments:
Both runs were warmer than I would have thought for the first part of January. Wednesday’s run included my training belt. It has 4 water bottles, a very nice piece of equipment. I haven’t had very good runs, this week. I have mentally felt much more tired by then end of the runs than I did during my long run last Saturday. I guess I need to make some more time for my runs, letting myself warm up and cool down.

Run Summary
Date and Time:	Jan 5, 2007 @ 4:45
Weather:	Clear, Cool 44º
Humidity:	35%
Wind:	7 mph SW
Distance:	5 miles
Miles this week:	11 running / 8 walking
Running Location:	Modified Home 3 Miler
	Map import not quite working
Food before:	Penne with mushroom ragout with coffee for lunch
Comments:
First long run of the training program. Took it at a slower pace and it worked really well. I managed to do the 5 miles in 49:10, which while it is slower than marathon pace, it is enough to build up the endurance. I felt really good during the entire run, I had a stitch, but managed to run through it.

When the Today Show starts running lots of segments on organizing and decluttering, you know something is up (Evidence is here). With magazines like Organize (I’m still waiting for my first copy), website like Unclutterer and a general wider understanding about how cleanliness and organization can make you happier (Real Simple, Martha Stewart, 43 folders, etc.) I am going to write a weekly series of entries about “The War on Clutter”, my progress in reducing clutter (that’s where I get to post pretty photos) and helpful tips on what you can do to reduce the clutter that is holding you back. A great starting place is Merlin Mann’s first post in his War on Clutter. He mentions a book, It’s All Too Much, a book I have read, and it was life changing. Getting rid of 90 gallons of clothes, changing. Buy a copy, I’ll but referencing it a lot.

Run Summary
Date and Time:	1/4/2007 @ 6:20PM
Weather:	Clear and Cold (37.5)
Humidity:	37.5%
Wind:	8mph SSW
Distance:	3.04 mi
Miles this week:	6 mi running / 8 mi walking
Running Location:	Home 3 Miler
	http://discovermachine.com/maps/529
Food before:	Chili and Rice at lunch, little after that
Comments:
A better run than earlier this week. I was a little over dressed, hard to judge with the weather fluctuations. Wrapping up my first week.

Run Summary
Date and Time:	Jan 2 @ 10:30 am
Weather:	33º
Humidity:	43%
Wind:	19mph
Distance:	3 miles
Miles this week:	3 running / 8 walking
Running Location:	Home 3 miler
http://discovermachine.com/maps/519
Food before:	Medium bowl of Frosted Flakes
Comments
Good run, hard to get back into training. Had two walks in the middle. Need to find a better shell jacket, the one I used was soaked on the inside and made me really cold. The weather was cold, but not as cold as the forecast was calling for. Have been thinking about going by the Runners Source to get shoes and a fuel belt. Might stop by when we are out running errands.

With the acquisition of the iPhone, my twittering has risen significantly (see November and December). The time of twittering is the most surprising stat.