I just received my copy of Sun Java Desktop System, 2003. 5 software discs and 1 documentation. Version 2003. November 2003, Rev A. I will try out the install later, after I see The Lord of the Rings.

Tim Bray’s On Search, the Series.

David Pogue of The New York Times covers the current state of satellite radio. What is most interesting is the gap in customers between XM and Sirius. “XM now has over a million subscribers; Sirius has 200,000.” I remember reading that 2 million users is the break-even point for both companies. I listen mostly to NPR while I drive. I am not convinced that satellite radio could outperform a MP3 player hooked up to my stereo system.

Google has a beta version of its book search service, Google Print, online. Sample search. Standard book URL is http://print.google.com/print/doc?isbn=? .

PC World reports that SPOT watches will hit stores in January.

Dallas Morning News has an article on the growing trend of a WiFi hotspot as a new home office.

LiveJornal has posted some statistics on its users. 63.5% female, 94% unpaid. 27.7% updated within the last 7 days.

I am thinking of attending the O’Reilly Emerging Technology Conference, February 9-12, 2004. It will probably be $1200 out of my own pocket. ($766.50 for the conference plus Emergent Democracy Forum, $360 for four nights with shared room at Westin Horton Plaza, and I will be driving there and back from San Francisco) Have you been before? I am interested in learning new things and networking with really smart people not afraid to live life on the technological edge. I was one of the 230 proposals, but not one of the people accepted for the 45 slots. (Similar speaking topic to Robert Kaye)

Steve Gillmor writes about how RSS and BitTorrent might be combined to share the bandwidth burden from a constantly pinged server.