About Me

PBX My name is Paul Bissex, and e-scribe.com is my consulting business. I build web applications using as much open source software as possible. From September to June I teach web design and other important non-photographic professional skills to photographers. In the '90s I wrote technology commentary and reviews for magazines, newspapers, and web publications, including Wired, Salon.com, FamilyPC, the late lamented Web Review, and the Chicago Tribune. Feel free to email me.

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This runs on Django, served by Apache and mod_python. The database is SQLite. The operating system is FreeBSD, on a VPS hosted at Johncompanies.com. Comment-spam protection by Akismet. Vintage topo imagery from the Maptech archive. The markup engine is Markdown.

The Book

Book cover I'm co-author of "Python Web Development with Django", an excellent guide to my favorite web framework. Published by Addison-Wesley in October 2008, it is available from Amazon and your favorite technical bookstore as well. Click on the book title above to learn more.

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Stuff I Use

Akismet, del.icio.us, Django, dpaste.com, Emacs, FreeBSD, Freenode, jQuery, LaunchBar, MacPorts, Markdown, Mercurial, OS X, Postfix, Python, SQLite, Subversion, TextMate, Trac, Ubuntu Linux, wmii

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Best feature of the new MacBook Pro

In case you missed the news, there's a new laptop in town. It's supposed to be really fast and stuff. But my favorite feature is the new MagSafe power connector.

On Tuesday morning, before the keynote, one of my students happened to stop by my office to show me what had happened to the power adapter on his PowerBook. His roommate tripped over the power cord while he was working on the couch. Here's the damage (not covered under warranty, naturally):

old plug bad

A few hours later, the MacBook Pro was introduced. Here's the new power connector:

new plug good

Apple explains: "...tripping over a power cord wont send MacBook Pro flying ... the cord simply breaks cleanly away, without damage to either the cord or the system."

D'oh!

Thursday, January 12th, 2006
apple + fun + hardware
4 comments

Some related posts: iPhone, youPhone, weallPhone • Obsolescence • MacBook Pro speed bumps • ExpressCard: what it is • Evolving a new keyboard • Kaypro model numbers • Mining Monday: the hardware collection • Hizzitachi • Project idea: G5-style Mini • Hard life for hardware

• Comment from xian , later that day

I'd just be happy if it keeps a constant seal over time. My Mac powercords always end up getting "mushy" and loose.

• Comment from Paul , later that day

Yeah. I'm guessing this will solve that problem, because the cord no longer depends on friction to stay in. The third-party adapter makers must be freaking out!

• Comment from Ian Holsman , 1 week later

I think I have gone through 3-4 power adaptors and at $150 a pop damn pricey as well. I look forward to the new cord design, but wish the whole industry could just come up with a standard interface

• Comment from SK , 20 months later

Yeah, but then notebook manufactures couldn't make money selling replacement power adaptors for a fortune. A new one for my dv2000 cost me $70. Anyways, you have to consider the difference in voltages and such, at least some manufactures (Lenovo, HP) use the same adaptors across all their notebook lines, with only a difference in wattage.