Mazen's Blog

Moving Away

2006-12-21T15:04:00.000+03:00

I have decided to move all my postings to www.ExplorePod.com/blog
The resone is quite simple, I have too many blogs scattered around the web, and I really want it to be all in one place.

So if you enjoyed this blog you can still read my post but at a new address, I will post here every now and then.

Excited!

2006-12-20T13:44:00.000+03:00

I have just launched a new blog, it is on my server on ExplorePod,
and to tell you the truth I guess this is the one that well grab all my
attention from now on.

just go to www.ExplorePod.com/Blog

Air-Pods Take 2

2006-11-14T23:58:00.000+03:00

Predicted Apple has signed a deal with six airlines.

I have wrote about this back in April.

Join ExplorePod's Forum

2006-11-13T23:23:00.000+03:00

I have just finished from installing a forum on ExplorePod.

The forum will be focused on travel, and travel related issues, you can collaborate with others all around the world to plan your next trip.

This is new so your part is to spread the word and tell everyone "you like" about it, the more people we have the better info we can get.
So come and join.

Joining Trend Hunter

2006-11-11T19:21:00.000+03:00

Now this is one cool site, if you're looking for Über trends check it out.

Episode 8 is out there

2006-10-26T01:21:00.000+03:00

Would like to let you know that episode 8 has been uploaded, in this episode you will learn about Shillong Abode of clouds, you will learn:

1- How to get there.
2- What to do.
3- What to see.
4- Where to shop.
5- What to buy.
6- and what to expect.

I will also will tell you about caving or what is known as “Spelunking”, since the state of Meghalaya offers spelunkers unimaginable opportunities and possibilities.

ExplorePod Statistics

2006-10-25T23:57:00.000+03:00

I have been checking ExplorePod's Statistics and I was surprised to see the following information:

I got 877 visitors using Firefox, while I only got 487 Internet Explorer visitors in the past month and a half.

I got 467 Macintosh users, 883 Windows users, and 17 Linux users the rest were using miscellanies OSs.

And I got the total of 1,488 visitors

in the past month and a half.

So all I want to say is Thank you!

You are Invited

2006-10-23T21:48:00.000+03:00

www.ExplorePod.com

More about Episode 7

2006-10-23T21:42:00.000+03:00

On ExplorePod's first video Podcast, I will take you to a place called Shillong. A hill town tucked away in the Northeastern part of India, it is a beautiful tourist spot famous for its churches, waterfalls, mountain peaks, and lakes.

This episode is about 14 minutes long.

Episode 5 and 6

2006-10-23T21:40:00.000+03:00

Both episodes 5 and 6 of ExplorePod talk about Malaysia, while episode 5 talks about the Kuala Lumpur, Episode 6 talks about Afamosa Resort, Genting Highlands, and Penang Island.

New Font for ExplorePod

2006-10-23T17:00:00.000+03:00

I have just finished the new logo for ExplorePod, the difference is dropping the "Travel Writing with a Twist!" and adding "Spread The World".

I have also changed ExplorePod's font.

iPod Killer

2006-09-23T21:10:00.000+03:00

Through out the years, and since the iPod first came out in October 2001, every MP3 player maker was trying all they can to bring the iPod off its throne.

Look at Sony’s Walkman, it has been a phenomena since it came out in the 80s, over time it started to fade out with all the competition and newer emerging technologies.

When the iPod came out it wasn’t the first MP3 player, but it managed to take hold of the market in no time, but most importantly, the iPod/iTunes have managed to provide people with a solution that works, no wait... that Simply works.

Later on Sony came back with a new digital Walkman, but it ended up on a long list of losers.

Now a new player walks in the market backed up by a heavy weight company, Microsoft has launched an iPod killer, and they call that beast “Zune”.

Microsoft has been gassed-up with their lucky XBox 360 success, which was achieved simply because the competition gave away a gap they thrived on.

I think that Zune will slam against a solid competitor called iPod, but they don’t see it coming yet.

But what really amazes me is the color selection and the design, now if you are a PC user you should know this fact:

Windows is a carbon copy of Mac (Apple’s Operating System), they have been copying Apple since the first Windows that ran as an application (not a real operating system) on DOS, and their next Windows Vista is a shameless copy of Mac OS X Tiger.

The Zune is no exception, if you look at the pictures you will the similarities it has compared to the iPod, but Microsoft has managed at last to be Creative.

Yes you read that right, Microsoft is creative now, instead of shipping only a black and white colored Zunes (like the black and white iPod) they came up with a new color that no other company has ever thought of.

it is Brown, and if you ask me it reminds me of one thing that has the same color tone...

Steve Jobs said it "The only problem with Microsoft is they just have no taste. They have absolutely no taste... and I don't mean that in a small way, I mean that in a big way - in the sense that they don't think of original ideas, and they don't bring much culture into their product."

PBS documentary Triumph of the Nerds (1996)

So let’s wait and see what color Microsoft will select when they are ready to write their name on that long loser’s list, and they can write it in Brown if it makes them feel better.

Sony rips off MacBook design

2006-09-22T14:32:00.000+03:00

you can find the source here: http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=290#comments

Facelifting

2006-09-18T15:54:00.000+03:00

As you might have noticed, this blog undertook a facelift, I guess now it is looking a bit better then before.

But what is really important is my new website ExplorePod, since it took a major facelift.

Episode 4 is up there

2006-09-16T02:02:00.000+03:00

I have just uploaded episode 4 of ExplorePod, this episode will talk about Istanbul.

Episode 3

2006-09-10T23:13:00.000+03:00

I have just uploaded Episode 3 of ExplorePod. This episode will talk about Jaipur the Pink City, and about a Tiger safari in a Real Jungle.

Brain Storms

2006-09-10T00:26:00.000+03:00

My brain is starting off two big storms, that will result in 4 new Mac related articles.

Ouch, it hurts!

Unveiling the Top Secret Project

2006-09-09T00:51:00.000+03:00

I would like to thank all of the people who sent me emails, trying to guess what the TOP SECRET Project I was working on was.

I am sorry to announce that no one guessed what I was working on.

And now it is time to unveil the truth, it's 9/9/2006 after all.

A new Podcast is born.

I would like to welcome all of you to ExplorePod, a podcast that will provide you with a view on travel, and how-tos including travel related tips and tricks.

ExplorePod is a Mazen Al-Angary production, it will support AAC format so that Mazen can show you pictures of what he is talking about.

Subscribers and visitors will get frequent video podcast, which are iPod ready for you to view on your iTunes or iPod.

You can find this new podcast at: ExplorePod.com

Enjoy!

TOP SECRET Contest T-1

2006-09-08T03:07:00.000+03:00

Just a reminder that you all have ONE last day to guess what the Top Secret Project is.

A Day not like any Other

2006-09-05T15:43:00.000+03:00

It is really sad to wake up one day, to discover that all the people who call them selves "your friends" are not really your friends, but your enemies.

You feel that your whole perception of the surrounding environment has just shattered, you have building these relations over years of smiles and laughs, over dreams and thoughts.

And one morning it is all shattered, in front of your own eyes, it is an unbelievable sight. You have been lied to.

You start to think, "So what now, what should I do, where do I go from here, which direction should I take".

I guess the answer is that it doesn't really matter, You're on your own now, alone, and you will have to rebuild a new world, but the tough part is amending the trust.

Browser Market Shares

2006-09-04T13:28:00.000+03:00

According to a recent market share study of online surfers, Safari has scored third worldwide.

TOP SECRET Contest

2006-09-02T17:53:00.000+03:00

I am working on a New TOP SECRET project.

If you guess what that project is, I will send the winner a valuable gift (When I say valuable I mean $21.99, So no one would get any surprises).

Rules:

1- You can make one guess per email address (which means you can use multiple email addresses).

2- The first applicant who guesses what the project is will be the winner.

3- This contest is open to any human living on planet Earth, if you live anywhere else, you are not eligible to enter this contest.

4- This contest is open to anyone even my family & friends.

5- The last date to accept any entry is 9/9/2006.

6- Adam If you are reading this, you should know that you're the only human on Earth who can't enter this contest. (Thought I should write this here).

Mail your guesses to: Mazenalangary@gmail.com and Go Crazy!

HINT: The project is internet related.

Connect Me Please

2006-08-16T00:13:00.000+03:00

As I walked into my favorite coffee shop, the cafe's manager pulled his head out of a customer's laptop.

"Mr. Mazen, we have been waiting for you" he said.

"Why? What's the matter?" I asked wondering.

"We have just installed a new DSL wireless network and we can't get any customer to log on the network" he explained.

I sat next to that frustrated customer (who I didn't even know) I worked my way through Windows XP's aggravating windows to connect that PC to the internet, 15 minutes later the PC was online.

"Mr. Mazen" said the manager apologetically would you connect the two other PCs?"

"Sure" I went to the other customers' PCs and connected them all, it took sometime, and seemed like each PC had a different way to connect, with a different set of annoying problems, but in the end I connected all three PCs.

"Sorry sir for all this inconvenience" apologized the manager.

"No, not at all don't worry about it"

"you still need to connect your PC" said the manager.

"Oh yeah but I would like you to witness how I do that" I said walking to my table, I pulled my Mac from its case, woke it up from its sleep, as the manager sat next to me looking at my monitor, I turned the airport on, then fired up Safari.

I was surfing the net in a blink.

"That's it?" asked the wide-eyed shocked manager.

"yeah, that's pretty much it" I assured him.

"Mr. Mazen I used to work as a network technician" he said "and I have never seen anything like that, I will get a Mac"

All the sudden the first client I helped shouted out from his table

"Me too!"

Windows Worm Watch

2006-08-13T15:45:00.000+03:00

I have read the news about a new threat to the Windows platform, I thought I might as well fire up my Dell and update the OS.

I turned the thing on, updated my antivirus first, I then went through the grueling process of updating Windows.

The web-page told me that there are 14 critical security updates I had to make to plug some holes in the OS.

I looked at the total size, it showed me that it was only 20Mb, now that shouldn't be so bad.

I was wrong, those 20 megs took me 3 hours to download, although my connection was fast enough, the process of checking every other minute with Microsoft's servers was idiotic.

After reaching the 14th and last patch, it took the system forever to move a bit. Then the page told me that something happened that prevented me from finishing the process and that I should start all over again.

I was dumbfounded, all over?!

I rechecked and surely I had to start downloading the 14 patches all over again.

This is but one aspect of the lovely Windows environment, my question would be, why would people tolerate this?

I know I won't any more, I have that Dell machine for one purpose only, that's to write in Arabic.

Best of luck to all you Windows Worm Watchers, or the next www.

What I am Listening to

2006-08-07T16:03:00.000+03:00

For some time now I have been drooling over a new discovery.

I have discovered to interesting website, one is called PodioBooks, where you can subscribe and download free audio books, there library is growing rapidly, adding up new titles almost daily.

You can download a chapter or more and drag it to your iPod and enjoy great audio books.

The other site is by a Dj called Addison, I personally think that this Dj is gifted, so far I have downloaded 12 of his mixes and they are great, the genre is trance if you were wondering, and they are especially great when you're trying to be creative and write something or even work on your computer.

So I urge you to check out PodioBook, and Dj Addison.

Enjoy!

Jack in the Box

2006-08-07T15:35:00.000+03:00

Last night I was sitting in my favorite coffee shop, all the sudden an acquaintance walks in.

He is the kind of person who you would bump into almost every-time you go to your regular cafe.

We always said "Hi" to each other when we met, and he used to ask me about the latest cell phone that hit or will hit the market, and depending on my blabber he would buy a new phone every week or two.

Last night, the guy walks into the cafe, and it has been a long time since I saw him, we both were on vacations traveling.

After shaking my hand, he gives me a box that contained a Bluetooth, MP3 player sunglasses. They were not the Oakley ones but they looked the same.

So I looked at the contents of the box examining the device, then I went on reviewing what I thought of it, it was a good device.

"This is for you" he said smiling.

"What do you mean for me?" I said wondering.

"I got this as a gift for you" He explained.

I was kinda confused, our relation didn't reach that level where we give each other such gifts.

"Thank you, but you really shouldn't have bothered your self" I said.

"Actually, I have been always depending on your opinions for years now when it came to buying new cell phones" he said "and you have always gave me great advice, This is merely a simple gift you deserve a lot more" he added.

Although I have my new 5th Gen iPod, and I have two working Bluetooth headsets, but I really thank him for such a kind gesture.

Melting Chocolate in your Hands

2006-08-07T15:26:00.000+03:00

When I traveled to Malaysia, I was confronted with a dilemma.

I have been waiting for the new Sony Ericsson P990i to launch, but they kept on delaying it month after month.

That caused a technosexual vacuum in me, I needed something to satisfy my geek side.

LG has released what they call Chocolate (KG800), it's a sexy slim slide phone, since I laid my eyes on it I fell in love with the handset, although it wasn't advanced in any way, it was simply a normal phone, but its buttons where touch sensitive, and I thought that was trendy and cool enough.

Walking in Kuala Lumpur's cell phone stores I saw the device over and over again trying my best to hold my self from buying it, I even encountered a sales rep in one of the stores who reminded me of the models who present those new devices in exhibitions, she was wearing a short black skirt, showing a lot of firm belly skin under her black t-shirt, she looked like a beautiful Korean model.

Although I wasn't influenced by that stunning model or even her brain spinning perfume, since I didn't buy the device from her store, but I gave in, I bought the Chocolate from a less attractive store's clerk.

My personal opinion is that the LG Chocolate (KG800) isn't in any way advance, but it surely feels like melting chocolates in your hands.

PS. Picture provided by infosyncworld

Spotted Over China

2006-08-01T16:06:00.000+03:00

This strange object has been spotted over China, now no one knows for sure what it is, but the interesting part is that it was seen through Googles maps.

If you ask me this is what I would call the "Power of the People", God bless the internet.

Create a LOUD Alarm clock with your Cell Phone

2006-08-01T15:45:00.000+03:00

I have recently came across an interesting way to use your cell phone as an alarm clock.

In most cases we don't wake up to the cell phone's alarm simply because it would be too low to wake us up.

However, there's a quick and easy fix for this. All you need is a wineglass, the glass will amplify your cell phone alarm just set your cell on its most annoying ringtone EXTREMELY LOUD. place your phone inside the wineglass and you'll be sure to hear that alarm now.

5th Gen ROCKS!

2006-08-01T15:34:00.000+03:00

Now regarding the new iPod I got, since I bought it, I have been drawn into a accessory purchase frenzy.

I have bought a new V-Moda Bling Bling Black earphones, and a new white Moshi iPouch. Since I am diehard iPod owner I got my self a new white iPod with video, looks so cool and slick.

Beside the fact that the V-Moda earphones look so trendy, they sound a lot better then the inbox earphones that come with any new iPod, and regarding the iPouch, it is made of a special material, that helps clean and protect your iPod, the iPouch comes in different colors, so don't miss on checking them out.

4G iPod RIP

2006-08-01T15:26:00.000+03:00

My first iPod was a 4th Generation chrome screen iPod, that device was the main reason why I switched to Mac.

That iPod has a special place in my heart, since it was my first every Apple product, and now it is old enough to retire.

I have bought a new 5th Gen iPod with video, and the new device rocks, but my old iPod still has its place carved in my heart, that’s why I have formated it and backed up my Mac system to it.

Rest In Peace, you will never be forgotten old friend and companion.

Now that's what I call Fox Balls

2006-07-27T14:15:00.000+03:00

I have ran across this on Digg, Firefox is taking on Internet Explorer, yet again.

I don't know about you, but these mozilla guys are quite amazing, they bought the domain www.ie7.com (Which should link to the upcoming Internet Explorer 7).

Personally I use Safari, and Camino, and I do use Firefox and Opera from time to time, but I love what these guys are doing to Microsoft.

Malaysian Site Update

2006-07-23T08:04:00.000+03:00

The website has just been update, and since I am on vacation, I couldn't stay away for my site for so long, since I have 3 newly published articles on the web.

The first is about Tech Pirates in Saudi Arabia.

The second is a review of the best PIM software you can get.

And the third is about RSS feeds that has been published on Ezinearticles. To my surprise over 870 people have read this article.

Tech Pirates in Saudi Arabia

2006-07-23T07:45:00.000+03:00

An eye-opening article from our writer in Saudi Arabia, Mazen Al-Angary.

How deep does software piracy run in the Middle East? You may be surprised. And it is not just Windows and Mac software; we are talking about movies and video games as well. A must read for everyone who follows technology.

Well MyMac said it all, click here to read it.

What is your PIM?

2006-07-23T07:42:00.000+03:00

When it comes to digital lifestyle, we are becoming more and more dependent on our computers, even if we’re not techies we still use computer on daily bases.

and since I am such a neat freak, I have looked for the perfect PIM (Personal Information Manager) software out there.

You can find the review here.

Getting Organized

2006-07-08T00:59:00.000+03:00

I am such a neat freek, I have folders for everything I need, and with the spotlight technology that comes built-into Mac OS X Tiger, things can't get any better then that.

But I have always wanted a software that can handle my daily web-serfing, when it comes to throwing all those small snipets of clipings in a folder to be orignazed later, things could get a but messy.

I have been researching the web for the best Information Organizer software on the Mac platform, so what I found was Stickybrain.

I wanted a safe place where I can sling away all my clippings without feeling guilty.

After trying every info organizing software out there, I selected the one that worked seamlessly, NoteBook 2.1, which encouraged me to write a review about it comparing it to the other softwares out there, simply because I didn't find a review that compared all of them head to head.

Is using a Mac productive?

2006-07-07T23:07:00.000+03:00

Is using a Mac more productive then using Windows?

Well I could write a full article about this topic, but to get a simple rundown on the subject, let me explain what I am doing right now.

I am writing this on my PowerBook G4, the keyboard is simply perfect, whether feeling it or fast typing on it.

And since I am a lousy speller, I tend to copy a word by clicking command C then clicking my F12 button to bring my dashboard hovering over my desktop, I click command V to paste the word on my built-in dictionary widget, then I hit return.

I get the meaning and check for any alternative words from my thesaurus while I am there, I then fly back to my desktop and continue what I am doing.

Thing is it all works smoothly and efficiently.

Now keep in mind that this is all built-in, no added software, or preservative for that matter.

To answer the above question: Yes.

How to Feed you Mind

2006-07-07T01:57:00.000+03:00

This new article has been just published on EzineArticles, and on the Tech lifestyle page on my website.

5 Star Stats

2006-07-05T18:02:00.000+03:00

I have been checking on Ezinearticles, to be surprised by a 5 Star rating, with about 113 readers.

So I would like to thank all the readers for trusting me, and promoting me to an Expert Author Stats.

Stay on Top of Things

2006-07-05T00:52:00.000+03:00

I have been an RSS junky for some time now, I have been a subscriber to Bloglines for a number of years now, but recently I have downloaded NetNewsWire, a great RSS aggregator that runs on the Mac platform, the company NewsGator, has a free online subscription, and another software similar to the FeedDemon for the Windows platform, I highly recommend this excellent service to anyone who want's to stay on top of things.

Show the world that you're looking for RSS Feeds. Get the "Feed Me!" T-Shirts now.

Feed Me!

2006-07-05T00:51:00.000+03:00

Two new T-shirts are available at my online store, both promote the

orange Feed Icon

on them, they come in two colors, white and Black, so you have no excuse.

The object of creating the T-shirts is to spread the awareness of the RSS and Feed icon to the world, to let people know that this icon is the symbol that should be standardized.

From my personal point of view, RSS feeds are one of the Web's best technologies, I have been getting my RSS feeds for years now, a day can't pass by me with out getting my dose of feeds, so think of me as an RSS junky, a junky to know and gather knowledge.

If you ask me, you are what you know.

PS. I would like to personally thank Frank Hecker, the executive director of the nonprofit Mozilla Foundation for being kind enough to granting me the permission to use the Feed Icon on those T-shirts.

Flying A Lot

2006-07-04T23:54:00.000+03:00

It has been a long time since I last posted to my blog, due to the fact that I have been so busy flying here and there.

I have been to Beirut, Lebanon on a three day business trip, then I came back to arrange for another business trip to Yanbu, in Saudi Arabia.

I have just arrived today from there, and what I saw inspired me to write a new article about all the strange things I saw on my 7-hour trip there.

So let me fill you in on what is new online.

I have published a new article on MyMac, it is called: Video Editing - In Your Mind.

I have also made 2 new T-shirts, that show the Feed Icon on them, with a "Feed Me!" caption under it, I got a permission from Frank Hecker to go ahead and do that, Frank was so kind to grant me that, and what I really had in mind is to spread the awareness of the icon and what it means, that I am working on an article draft to explain to new comers about RSS and Feeds. I will keep you posted on its stats when it becomes ready to publish.

A Slow Step to get Faster

2006-06-15T17:08:00.001+03:00

I have recently been offline for over five days.

To a technosexual (chic geek) like my self that is a long time offline, I managed to check my important 4 email accounts through my Treo 650, incase I got any urgent emails I had to reply to (I check 9 different email accounts daily on my computer if you're wondering).

But the main reason why I was offline for so long was because I was taking a small step towards a faster internet connection, I have installed a new wireless DSL line, and now I am surfing the web at a higher speed.

Now I won't begin to compare DSL to Broadband connection, but it's okay for now, since we don't have broadband in Saudi Arabia any way.

Pirated Software in Saudi Arabia

2006-06-15T17:08:00.000+03:00

I am recently working on a new article that will address pirated software in Saudi Arabia, and what the Saudi government is doing to crack-down on software pirates.

This article will cover pirated computer software, pirated video games hardware and software, and pirated movies.

I will keep you updated on the progress of the article and where you can find it as soon as it's published.

Site Update

2006-06-15T16:24:00.000+03:00

My site Al-Angary.com has been recently updated with links to new articles.

You will find technology articles that will help you know more about your Digital Religion, another health & diet article that will tell you why your diet didn't work for you the last time you tried to go on a diet.

Enjoy!

Real-Life Hollywood Stunt

2006-06-09T19:32:00.000+03:00

I was driving on my way back home this afternoon, all the sudden I hear a metal grinding sound behind me, I swiftly sensed my car, it was balanced, "the sound wasn't coming from my car" I thought.

I look in rearview mirror, to see a big old GMC Suburban truck spinning in mid air, it flipped causing dust to orbit around its massive body, two tire dispatched and continued spinning on their own, the truck slammed behind the tail of my car then took off again, doing another spin, before landing again and slamming in a wall.

I was like "WHAT THE F#@%!!!".

Good news, the driver came out safe, but to me it looked like I was watching a hollywood stunt performed in front of my eyes, and right behind my car's tail.

How to Make a Diet Really Work

2006-06-02T20:43:00.000+03:00

Thrilled and excited to start off a new diet, by the time you're done you will be looking sleek and trim, but will your diet work?

An article has been published on Ezinearticles,

What's your Digital Religion?

2006-06-02T20:42:00.000+03:00

A new article has been published on MyMac, it's about what I would like to call Digital Religion.

1605 Hits

2006-05-29T17:38:00.000+03:00

I am so excited about the hit counter, within the month of May, the site got 1605 so far, would like to see the number I get by then end of the month.

Web Hits

2006-05-25T23:06:00.000+03:00

I am in no market to compete with other site when it comes to web hits, but last night I was checking the number of hits my site got, and I was surprised to know that Al-Angary.com got

941 hits this month only

.

I bought the domain in December 2005, but never got around to work on it till the beginning of May 2006.

The way I see it, with a 941 hits this month only, I must say I am quite thrilled, but I owe everyone who visited the site a lot of gratitude and thanks, because it wouldn't have happened with out your interest.

Thank you!

Reloaded

2006-05-25T22:57:00.000+03:00

Al-Angary.com has been republished.

I will call it Version 2.0

The Old Days

2006-05-25T22:53:00.000+03:00

7 years ago I remember the old days, when I used to design websites, I used MS FrontPage, which was a very flawed piece of software, but it was the only thing I know how to use.

When I wanted to work on my personal website, I got this fear that I might not do a good job, I even lost my touch with MS FrontPage, I considered giving the whole project to a teenager, who I am sure will do a better job.

Then I got this "You can do it your self" urge that pushed me to learn something new, who said that you can't teach an old dog new tricks, I got my hands on Adobe GoLive.

I remember the first time I looked at the software, I thought "HOLLY Shhh" I thought it was complicated beyond my limits to fathom, I use PhotoShop all the time, but I got used to it over a very long period of time, but GoLive was a different animal all together. And I had to pin it down fast.

Back to the "You can do it your self" urge I got, I managed to roll my sleeves and get deep into GoLive and play around with it, in no time I got the hang of it.

I have published my website three times in two weeks, I mean the whole website was re-designed three time from scratch.

But now I am quite satisfied with my site, all is left is to add more content.

So I hope you like this version.

Starbucks Friendliness

2006-05-19T17:08:00.000+03:00

I sometimes wonder why most of Starbucks cafes employees are nice, kind, and extra friendly.

I am not talking about one particular branch, I saw this in Canada, UK, UAE, and here in Saudi Arabia, so is it something they require, or is Strbucks lucky all over the world in finding the right people.

If you work, or know someone who works at Starbucks let me know so I could also share it with all of you.

You can email me on: MazenAngary@Gmail.com

Long Weekend

2006-05-19T15:36:00.000+03:00

It has been such a long weekend for me (Weekends are Thursday and Friday around here).

Have been working on my website, and I have just finished publishing it at last.

You can reach it by going to www.Al-Angary.com or clicking here.

I was Surprised!

2006-05-15T00:17:00.000+03:00

I was surfing the web, when I came across an interview with yours truly.

I even forgot that I made that interview, I think it was during December 2005. Anyhow I found it interesting to read it.

The interview can be found on WritersManual.com, once there search for my name or simply click here.

Bony Day

2006-04-29T20:05:00.000+03:00

Well it's been such a day, since I came back from Dubai, UAE, I had an appointment with my dentist to clean up and whiten my teeth.

Utter torture!

But to add insult to injury, I injured my self last night at home hurting my left shoulder, which forced me to book an appointment with an orthopedic doctor. When he check me up he assured me that my bones were find, nothing was broken (touch wood) and that my shoulder muscle took the shock instead of my skeletal frame.

Well I guess that would be an excellent reason to get back to the gym, since I found a new benefit of working out on weight lifting.

So back to the gym it is, but after two weeks, don't look at me, it's the doctors orders ;-)

Come out, come out!

2006-04-29T14:00:00.000+03:00

If you've been visiting this blog, you might have read the "Mysterious Call" post, it's a real story that happened to a friend of mine.

Now what I would be interested in is getting some of your stories, so if you have any weird or strange story that ever happened to you, a relative, or friend, please feel free to add it as a comment or simply email it to me, and I will be posting it on the blog.

Time to scratch

2006-04-14T00:08:00.000+03:00

Recently I have been engaged in a lot of work, it's not easy to start-off four new companies from scratch and write or even blog at the same time.

I have been shuttling back and forth between Jeddah, Saudi Arabia where I reside and Dubai, UAE.

Sometimes prospects between Jeddah and Dubai overlap, while my brain is doing such a great job mesh-mashing both city's street maps.

Since I am a travel writer, I enjoy flying so much, but what I really dread is ground time, waiting in airports, looking over emigration personal's desk drawing a "yeah it's me again" apology expression on my face, it is such a hassle to check my passport since it's cluttered with stamps and visas from all over the world, adding loads of fresh stamps between Saudi Arabia and UAE, just tangles things further. I even ask the emigration officer to stamp on the same page over and over again to save passport' pages for important trips.

Back to the scratching topic, these days I barely have time to scratch my own head, (hold on let me do that right now), but today I have half a day off, so I thought I would update my blog with this post and the previous one about Air-Pods.

So by Sunday I will be in Dubai for at least eleven days, I hope I don't extend my stay if my work requires, so I will try to blog from down there.

Air-Pods at 30,000 Feet

2006-04-14T00:02:00.000+03:00

I have recently read a topic about Apple computers cutting new deals with major airlines to introduce in-flight iTunes stores.

I think that this would be a great add-on to the iTunes stores, this way you can take your iPod on a flight (which I am sure you already do) and fill it up with fresh new songs and albums.

A neat feature would be providing in-seat iPod-ready plug-ins to charge the iPod's battery while transferring data. "Fly-Tunes" would sound Applish if you ask me, since AirTunes has already been used before by Apple.

Picture it for a minute, you would be flying at the altitude of 30,000 feet in the air for hours on end, bored! So you reach out to your credit card, and burn some plastic away (not literally) to "download" music, Tv shows and podcasts that you could enjoy throughout the flight.

If Apple manages to pull this off, I would love to see how the competition would retaliate, simply because this move shows how powerful Apple really is.

PS. I think they should change the word "Download" to "Air-Load" once you're flying in the air, because "upload" means transfer (data) to another computer system, and you're not transferring data from your iPod.

Macs in Saudi Arabia

2006-03-31T20:38:00.000+03:00

This article has been just published on MyMac.com, it is about Apple and Macs in Saudi Arabia. Enjoy.

Send me a recorded comment

2006-03-26T21:55:00.000+03:00

If you take a close look at the side bar of my blog, you will notice a new black and pink colored button.

When you click on that button, it will allow you to submit audio comments.

So Click Away!

Switching to Mac

2006-03-26T21:52:00.000+03:00

I have been a Wintel user for most of my computing life, I even have awards and certificates on supporting the Windows platform, and one day I got so fed up with the whole thing I decided to switch.

Switching didn't happen just like that, what really intiated it was seeing (and holding) a 3rd Generation iPod that was on display at a Virgin store in Dubai, UAE.

Back then I thought "Should I buy an 'Apple' product?" To a technosexual like me that was a majour fork in the road.

I ended up buying a 4th Gen iPod from Amazon, two months later I bought my PowerBook, I though if these people made such an effort to make such an adorable device that you can't help your self but to fall in love with, how would their main business (computer manufacturing) be like.

I made a geeks leap of faith, I bought the Mac without even trying it or seeing the OS in real life.

Since I got my 12 inch PB I bairly use my Wintel machine anymore, I use my PB to edit my pictures since I am a photographer, I write articles and books on it, I use it to store and transfare my music, and I create DVDs from all my trips since I am a travel writer.

Using a Mac is such a pleaser and so much fun, after I got mine, six of my friends, my brother, and my feancee have switched to Mac over PC. They simply couldn't believe how much they can do on those lovable machines.

Mysterious Call

2006-03-26T21:51:00.000+03:00

I was sitting with a friend the other day in a coffee shop, talking about this and that. All the sudden my friend gets one ring on his cell phone form an unknown number.

He got a bit curios, so he called back to see who it was, although the number was an international number.

“Hello, I got a call from this number, do I know you?” asked my friend.

“No, you don’t know me, but I have information you might want to know about” said the stranger.

“What information?”

“You and two of your family members are under a magic spell” Said the stranger.

“What are you talking about? What spell? How do you know me?”

The guy then starts talking to my friend, telling him that he was worshiping in some kind of cave that he refers to as "The Cavern", when he got my friends cell phone number sent down to him as a revelation.

Now I know that all this sounds nutty, but the guy was very serious about what he was saying.

I think that this is one of the strangest ways to ask people for money, I even suggested my friend to play along and get that impostor arrested, at least we get to know where "The Cavern" is. ;-)

Mobile Freaks

2006-02-24T21:04:00.000+03:00

Personally I am keen on using laptops and notebooks, I never bought a single desktop (or tower) computer since my early digital life started.

I find a great deal of freedom using notebooks, either at home or while on the road traveling, I am the kind of person who likes toting my notebook with me to cafes, so I would work while listening to my iPod.

Recently I found a fascinating article posted on Macworld about Laptop ergonomics, if you're a mobile freak like me, you will find it quite useful and educating.

New Online Store

2006-02-24T21:03:00.000+03:00

I have opened a new online store that sells T-Shirts and cups (well one cup for now) with my designs on them, some are pictures I took when I was in Dubai, UAE during last Christmas on an article assignment.

I will be adding new items on the store, as I will be updating you about new products.
To visit the store you can go to www.cafepress.com/mazen

I hope you enjoy it, and I will be more then happy to get your opinion.

Apple-fans Dilemma

2006-02-24T21:02:00.000+03:00

I think that Apple is one of the companies who really know how to create a BUZZ around their new products, to grab the attention of both Apple and non-Apple users alike.

Recently the media have been raving about a new product that Apple will launch soon, some think it's going to be a new iPod, while others think it might be a touch-screen computer, given the fact that Apple has just released the 5th generation iPod.

Today I saw a picture posted on engadget, they claim that it was from the manufacturer, the astonishing part is that the picture was so clear showing a full color screen product that seems like it could be either a new iPod or a touch-screen computer, the problem with the picture is that you can't really distinguish the product to be either, because it didn't have anything placed next to it to give a sense of scale, kinda smart if you think about it.

So back to square one again, we will have to wait for Apple to make its official announcement.

Can't wait though.

UPDATE: Turns out that the picture were posted on Flickr.