1909 San Francisco Trolley Dash Cam Footage (1st Person Perspective)

via liveleak.com

Found on Twitter (thanks, @EinAtlanta). I could do without the trippy Techno soundtrack, but the video is neat.

Posted via web from Briefly Mused Upon

Harry Truman Night in the Central Hockey League

via sports.yahoo.com

The Missouri Mavericks will host the Tulsa Oilers tonight in Central Hockey League action. It's Harry Truman night, so the Mavericks will be wearing these jerseys and will auction them off after the game to benefit the Harry S Truman Library and Museum. I think I want one.

Posted via web from Briefly Mused Upon

Droid Review: One Week In

So, here's my Motorola Droid review. I've had the Droid phone since its launch last Friday and have some initial thoughts.

First -- and let me get this out of way -- I've watched with a fair amount of jealousy the rise of the iPhone. Most of my reluctance to join that crowd was a result of not wanting to leave the Verizon network. So, I'm predisposed to wanting the Droid to be fabulous. That, and I paid for the Droid. (Take that FTC).

Where to begin? Aesthetically, I like the design though I recognize that it might be a little industrial for some. It feels comfortable for me. As a phone, this works as well as every other cellphone that I have owned. So there's that. What wins me over is the whole integration with Google. Since the Droid runs Google's Android operating system, it makes sense that integration with Gmail and Google Calendar (as well as all other Google services) is very smooth. The Droid is always synched with Google's servers. That's a clear winner for someone like me, who uses google for plenty of services (like, hey, this blog since Blogger is owned by Google). There is a community of developers working on writing applications for the Android OS that bring cool things, such as the ability to stream Pandora on my entire 35 mile commute. Yes, I know that the iPhone has about ten times as many applications in their store. But as the Verizon ads say, Apple has full control of that environment and has blocked certain applications from appearing. Since Google has committed to making and keeping Android open, that's not a problem here. Good applications will be available, especially now that there is a compelling piece of hardware on which to run them.

Linking to Google's services also means that the Droid incorporates all of the navigation features that are in Google maps. This is a really awesome feature. Simply speak the name of the destination and the onboard GPS system goes to work to plot the route. As you approach your destination, the Droid switches to Google's Street View. Does it replace a full-blown navigation system, like my Garmin Nuvi? Perhaps it does.

Bottom line. It works great for me. And anyone on the Verizon network should probably think about getting one if they want to enter the smartphone market without leaving Verizon. Is it better than the iPhone? I don't know since I have no real experience with the iPhone. I'll fall back on the very well written and more in-depth than you can possibly need review written by Andy Ihnatko for the Chicago Sun Times: "But the Droid and the iPhone are pretty damned close. If none of the above advantages sway you, you could buy either phone and be equally happy."

Interesting Video: "Trillions" from Maya

Trillions from MAYAnMAYA on Vimeo.

Obama and Federal Records?

via flickr.com

According to the caption on this photo from the White House Flickr feed, Obama was jogging past boxes at the SBA's "Metropolitan Archives in Hyattsville, Md." Me, I'm just wondering if the President stopped to ponder the disposition of those records.

Posted via web from Briefly Mused Upon

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This Is The Droid I've Been Looking For

via news.vzw.com

So, I can't resist the easy joke. Next week, I hope to be acquiring said device. Full report later.

Posted via web from Briefly Mused Upon

Opera in the Outfield

Saturday evening, I attended the Washington National Opera's simulcast of their season opening performance of The Barber of Seville at Nationals Park. I was a little concerned about how the acoustics would actually sound in the cavernous stadium, but was pleased that the sound quality was very good. The video quality of the simulcast was also very good. Here's an example. I recorded this video from my perch in left field as Placido Domingo, General Director of the Washington National Opera, welcomed almost 20,000 of us to the performance.

I enjoyed the performance and found the whole experience a very pleasant way to spend an evening. The price was certainly right - Free. The weather was nearly perfect - cloudy and cool with slight humidity. And I got a Ben's Half Smoke at intermission. Heck, I'm already ready for next season. I'll leave professional reviews of the performance to others.

One more video - this was recorded immediately after the performance and includes the cast curtain call. With apologies for the poor camera work.

Again, just a wonderful performance and a great evening. Kudos to the Washington National Opera on a job well done.