Two Nights, Two Great Concerts - Coldplay & Australian Pink Floyd Show

I saw two great concerts the last two nights.

On Monday I saw the Australian Pink Floyd Show here in San Diego at the Copley Symphony Hall. I was blown away! They played pretty much the entire Wall double album (one of my all time favorite records) from start to finish and then bits of Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Where Here, etc. for their encore. I didn't know anything about these guys until a few days before the show. Pink Floyd is one of the few bands that I have always wished I had been able to see, but haven't yet, so I figured a tribute band was the next best thing. It was unbelievable! The venue was great and the sound fantastic. I went with ex Linspire patriot Kevin LaRue (and fellow progressive rock fan) and we had a great time on the 5th row. They tour all the time, so if they are coming to your town, GO!

Then last night I saw Coldplay in Orange Country at the Honda Center (the "pond"). This is my third time seeing Coldplay. Last time I saw them in 2005 we were on the front row, and this time on the second. As always, the band was fantastic. I wasn't thrilled with the sound of the Honda Center, however, as it had this very annoying echo, and you'd heard every sound slapping back at you a split second later. It made it nearly impossible to even understand what Chris Martin was saying when he'd talk into the mic. Also, I tend to have the worst luck with sitting by annoying fans. Last night it was the two women sitting right behind us who wouldn't be quiet all evening and spilled their drink on me! Literally, dumped the entire cup down my back. Fans need to learn to not get so drunk that they ruin the show for everyone around them.

Two great nights. Below are photos and video I shot from the shows.

This is a short excerpt of video I shot of some of the night with Coldplay. The best, up-close footage is in the last half of the video.



Some photos I took from the Coldplay show (click to enlarge)...







Some photos I took from the Australian Pink Floyd Show (click to enlarge)...



I didn't shoot the below video, but it gives you an idea how fantastic these guys are. Comfortably Numb was a real mind blower!



Here is some great audio of their show just a few weeks before ours.



Kevin

Ubuntu's Impressive Numbers

I remain impressed with Canonical and Ubuntu. My Ubuntu computer works brilliantly. With each release I see the delta between my main OS (Mac OS X) and desktop Linux, becoming smaller and smaller. Mac still has a bit more polish and service offerings, but the main difference for me remains the quality of software available for Mac vs Linux, but even there the line is starting to blur considerably.

Ubuntu 8.10--Impressive OS is only four years old.

Considering that Canonical is barly four years old, here are some impressive numbers to consider (source):

• Ubuntu has 8 million+ users.
• Ubuntu has over 500 active developers.
• 120+ of those developers are full-time Canonical engineers.
• Canonical has over 215 employees.
• Ubuntu has over 600,000 forum users.

The latest 8.10 release of Ubuntu is now available for download. If you haven't already, you should check it out. It's definately better than Vista, and getting very close to OS X.

Kevin

Michael Robertson--Still Hiding Details About Linspire's Demise

Five Months And Counting--What Happened to Linspire?

It's been five months since Michael Robertson sold off Linspire in a secret back-room deal with Xandros, and yet, the 100 some-odd minority shareholders haven't received any details about this transaction. Robertson has time to file frivolous lawsuits against me to try and take away my freedom of speech, but he doesn't have time to talk to all those shareholders who have lost thousands and thousands of dollars on worthless Linspire stock.

Is there anyone who can be left with doubt as to Robertson's attitude toward employees, investors and shareholders?

Michael Robertson--No Respect for Investors and Shareholders

The lawsuit against Robertson over the missing cash continues, but for Linspire shareholders, we remain completely in the dark.

What is Robertson hiding? Incompetence? Greed? Theft? All three? After five months, if he had a reasonable story to tell shareholders, wouldn't he have done that by now?

By my calculation, Linspire blew through around $35 Million and left absolutely nothing to show for it. Perhaps Robertson is just embarrassed by his colossal failure with Linspire. I netted a profit during my two years as Linspire's CEO, and there were millions in the bank when I left, yet in one quick year it's all gone.

Linspire, SIPphone, MP3tunes, AJAXwindows, not exactly an impressive track record. I can see why Michael prefers to keep in hiding.

Kevin

My High Scores on Fieldrunners Game for the iPhone

UPDATE:

My new high score is now 686,525 (Level: High, Rounds: 100). Screenshots below.



Original Post:

OK, I admit it, this is the one iPhone game I've become rather addicted to.

Here is the end game of my highest score to date (85 Rounds, 432,250 points, Medium Level). I took this snap shot just seconds before losing my last life, thanks to a flood of those blasted helicopters!

You'll notice I leave an alleyway along the top. This way, when the enemy is about to the end of my route, but they are still kickin', I can "unlock" my field by releasing the sole man in the upper left-hand corner, then locking the end of the route, forcing the enemy to head back in the opposite direction and taking an additional beating. (I guess there is even a term for this, "juggling.") It's just those dang helicopters that can fly overhead that I need to beef up more for!


Here are my high scores (all on the Medium Level, other than score #8 was on Easy):

Any other Fieldrunners addicts? Share your score.

Some great scores (and pointers) to be found here.

Kevin

The Good News About Obama's Win

As those of you who follow my blog know, I was a Mitt Romney supporter for President. I felt our country needed someone like Romney, who really understands how the economy works and has shown time and time again he can turn things around. Unfortunately, Romney lost in the primaries to John McCain, who I then reluctantly supported because I didn't like Obama's lack of experience, position on taxes, and Liberal record. Today, however, America has spoken and Barack Obama will be our next President.

Congratulations to Barack Obama -- I'm Proud of America

Even thought Obama's associations, lack of experience, view on taxes, and Liberal voting record concern me, there is one thing about his victory that I'm very happy about, and that is I'm proud to be an American today, which just elected an African American as its president. I'm excited to have our first minority as President. I believe it shows that America isn't a racist nation. Of course there are those few who still discriminate and hold racist attitudes and views, but I believe the majority of Americans do not hold race against others.

I do worry about Obama, Pelosi and Reed controlling the federal government, and I'll do what I can to keep our country from swinging to big government and expanded social programs (and will be ready to support Romney in 2012 if Obama drops the ball!). However, for today, I'm just going to be proud to be an American where we have a free election system and where anyone truly can become President.

Congratulations to Barack Obama and his historical victory. Regardless of who you voted for, today every American should be proud of their country. I am.

Kevin