Noted Web pioneer Dave Winer chimes in on the hype around Microsoft's latest release to the Operating System formerly known as Longhorn...

"$500 million of marketing can't hide the fact that these days it's hard to find anyone who cares about Windows."
Via Scripting.com (Jan. 31, 2007)

While it wasn't as exciting as learning my new AppleTV had shipped, or if I had somehow obtained early access to the iPhone, I received a pleasant message in my e-mail today, as Apple let me know they had received clearance to offer their newest 802.11n-capable Airport base stations, and they were set to ship immediately, a full two weeks ahead of schedule. Now, instead of expecting my new wireless experience in March, it's looking a lot more like I'll be zipping around wirelessly a lot more quickly come Valentine's Day or so.

Below is the text of the e-mail.

  To Our Valued Apple Customer:

  Apple today began shipping our new AirPort Extreme Base Station (802.11n). We
  are delighted to tell you that we plan to ship your AirPort Extreme Base
  Station (802.11n) two weeks earlier than we had anticipated. We now plan to
  ship your product on or before Wednesday, February 14. No action on your part
  is required.

Silly Apple. Don't they know that the way to dominate the market is to announce delay after delay and increase anticipation?

Know how there is always something you forget on a trip that just annoys the heck out of you until the problem is solved? Whether it's toothpaste, socks or shaving cream, it always seems like there's just one thing that prevents me from having the perfect trip experience. This week, it was nail clippers. Yet, the uniqueness of New York bailed me out.

At events, the way you present yourself is critical - so making sure I didn't have long, dirty or jagged nails when shaking hands and greeting people was actually a pretty big deal. On Monday, it was already bugging the heck out of me, as my subconscious reminded me something was wrong with the world. But on Tuesday, the answer came in a very New York way.

Walking back from breakfast, I stopped at one of the sidewalk vendors who offers a plethora of quick-fix goods, from phone cards to gum and soda. After plunking down $2 or so to get some gum and a roll of Certs, I looked up to see nail clippers hanging from the ceiling. Perfection. For a single buck, I had the answer, and New York had come through again.

I love this city. Yet on Thursday, I head back to the West Coast, leaving the land of instant fulfillment and 27-degree weather behind. But boy, my nails do look good.

More in an ocassional series...

Goodnight Silicon Valley... the voice behind "Good Morning Silicon Valley" is moving on to help out the Wall Street Journal, after more than 7 years of daily postings on the world of tech. In other news, despite the bitter cold here in New York, Athletics Nation kindly reminds us that baseball is coming, as Blez sits down with A's GM Billy Beane.

Athletics Nation: Billy Beane AN Interview January 07 Edition Part I
Good Morning Silicon Valley: GMSV author to "pursue other interests"
Matthew Ingram: Microsoft Still Wants to Control Your Wallet
AppleInsider: Apple revenues could catch Microsoft by 2010