Windows 8 Preview - The Weather App

Windows 8 I believe is trying to be two things at once - an OS for desktop PC (or MacBook Air in my case) and for portable and tablet devices.  This is not necessarily a bad thing and the new weather  App is clearly one that would be suited on either PC or tablet.


As a committed Mac user I am very impressed by both style and content.  This App combines both in a very nice way.


The functionality is exactly what I need when I want to check both the forecast of my local area and additional destinations.


I was very impressed by the short weather videos integrated into the App.


Checkout the video for a preview.

Lord's Prayer - Forgive us our sins!

Listened to a really good talk at Church this week.

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

Jesus' disciples knew that prayer was an important part of Jesus daily pattern. Sometimes he needed space to pray on his own and Sometimes he prayed in the temple and synagogue and prayed with others.

After watching him the disciples asked

Luke 11:1 (NIV)

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."

They wanted the same richness in prayer that Jesus had.

General principles ...

Matthew 6:5-8 (NIV)"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. [6] But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. [7] And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. [8] Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

It is not about being seen to pray and how spiritual you are.

Matthew 6:5-6 (NIV)"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. [6] But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

It is not about long words or magic phrases with special beginnings and endings. There is no need to worry If you get prayer wrong it doesn't mean it  'won't work'.

Matthew 6:7 (NIV)And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.

Also prayer is not a news broadcast to God. It is not about many words being said over and over again.

What can we learn?

Matthew 6:9 (NIV)"This, then, is how you should pray: " `Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

This sets the mood, the atmosphere, the mindset of prayer. We can also use this to remember the character of the God we are praying to.

Matthew 6:9 (NIV)"This, then, is how you should pray: " `Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

Father - intimate

hallowed - Holy 

Matthew 6:10 (NIV)your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

A God who is for the present and now. He is outgoing and wants to fill our lives and shaped by His goodness.

Matthew 6:11 (NIV)Give us today our daily bread.

God - the provider

Matthew 6:12 (NIV)Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

God - the forgiver who comes to run out the mistakes, to renew?

Matthew 6:12 (NIV)Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Why debts?

There are 5 different pictures that the Gospels use for sin including an image of a debt that we can never payoff.

Jesus is in the business of forgiveness

Matthew 9:2-8 (NIV)Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven." [3] At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, "This fellow is blaspheming!" [4] Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? [5] Which is easier: to say, `Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, `Get up and walk'? [6] But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" Then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home." [7] And the man got up and went home. [8] When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men.

Matthew 6:12 (NIV)Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

If we expect God to have an open hands and heart to forgive us we need to do the same for others.

Our culture doesn't say much about forgives because it can be difficult. Forgives is not a Christian word for tolerance. For relationships to be healed there needs to be forgives.

Luke 23:32-34 (NIV)Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. [33] When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals---one on his right, the other on his left. [34] Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Shine Jesus Shine!

When I became a Christian at University the first CD I bought was of Graham Kendrick.  One of the classic songs which often gets played on Songs of Praise is Shine Jesus Shine!

Although this song may be seen as quite cliched now it does have really good lyrics.

Lord the Light or Your Love is shining, 

In the midst of the darkness shining, 

Jesus light of the world shine upon us, 

Set us free by the truth You now bring us, 

Shine on me. Shine on me. 

Shine Jesus shine 

Fill this land with the Father's glory 

Blaze, Spirit blaze, 

Set our hearts on fire 

Flow, river flow 

Flood the nations with grace and mercy 

Send forth Your word 

Lord and let there be light.

Lord I come to Your awesome presence, 

From the shadows into Your radiance, 

By the blood I may enter Your brightness, 

Search me, try me, consume all my darkness, 

Shine on me. Shine on me. 

As we gaze on Your kindly brightness. 

So our faces display Your likeness. 

Ever changing from glory to glory, 

Mirrored here may our lives tell Your story. 

Shine on me. Shine on me.

I feel really privileged to have met and worked with Graham Kendrick last week when he came to Knowle Parish Church for a concert.  Doing the tech for a Christian celebrity was fun and I must admit I did feel a little star-struck at first!

The one thing that struck me the most about Graham Kendrick was the real connection in what he said, sung and how he behaved.

Great night - and he signed my running order!

Looking towards Easter - a crown of thorns

Crown of thorns

I listened to a really good talk tonight at church.

If we are to engage fully with Easter we have to engage with both the celebration of Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday and the events of the cross on Good Friday.

Matthew 27:27-31 (NIV)Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. [28] They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, [29] and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. "Hail, king of the Jews!" they said. [30] They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. [31] After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

The crown of thorns as a symbol ...

1. The crown of thorns as a symbol of mockery of Jesus. 

It is thought that the thorns would have been very long and spiky and would have caused the soldiers pain and scratches.

It wasn't enough to kill Jesus that the soldiers wanted to humiliate him.

For ourselves how often do we do the same thing? Do we say that Jesus is king in our lives but we then don't relinquish control over to Him?

Can we equate the mockery of the soldiers to our own?

2. The crown of thorns represent humility.

Jesus was born into poverty and died in a similar way. Jesus didn't wear a crown of gold, pain free but wore a crown of thorns, in pain - not befitting to who he is?

Our attitude should be the same as Jesus.

Philippians 2:6-11 (NIV)Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, [7] but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. [8] And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death---even death on a cross! [9] Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Are we willing to make ourselves this humble? Humility is not a sign of weakness, it takes strength to be humble.

3. A symbol of sin

The Old testament has many references for thorns.

Numbers 33:55 (NIV)" `But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will give you trouble in the land where you will live.

Joshua 23:13 (NIV)then you may be sure that the Lord your God will no longer drive out these nations before you. Instead, they will become snares and traps for you, whips on your backs and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land, which the Lord your God has given you.

Thorns are not a good image, they are all pervasive, they distort the truth.

Genesis 3:17-19 (NIV)To Adam he said, "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, `You must not eat of it,' "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. [18] It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. [19] By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return."

Thorns are a consequence of Adam's sin.

Genesis 22:6 (NIV)Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together,

Genesis 22:11-13 (NIV)But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. [12] "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son. " [13] Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.

Stuck in the thorns is our sacrifice.

Genesis 22:13 (NIV)Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.

Do we know that the price has been paid? Looking at the image of thorns do we live with them as a punishment.

Jesus experienced human pain with the thorns - he bleed.  Do we fully know that Jesus feels and shares our pain? When we are going through tough things - JESUS FEELS OUR PAIN.

Because the kingdom is not here yet, there will be pain and tears and suffering. We can be confident that the Kingdom of God is near and that Jesus wants to share with us in our suffering.

Jesus knows what pain feels like, he understands - he cares for us. The Holy Spirit can comfort us and heal us.

Give us today our daily bread

Give us today our daily bread

Matthew 6:11 (NIV)

Give us today our daily bread.

This is very practical.

- give us today our actual bread

- give us today what we need to survive

We can get into a habit of reeling off a shopping list of things that we want from God.

We may get into the habit of praying "I need this now"

Are we praying for what we need rather than what we want.

What do we do if a child asks for sweets just before a meal? The answer will be no because we know the bigger picture.

God knows our bigger picture and we should often remember that.

What about things which are less trivial and we still pray for something serious and it is still not answered.

God sees the bigger picture and although the prayer may not be answered this side of heaven.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV)

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. [5] It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. [6] Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. [7] It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. [8] Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

When we pray for big issues in our lives we should also pray that in the situations we are more patient, kind etc.

Give us today our daily bread can also be corporate.

- provide daily bread for others

- giving or helping with a charity

- enough food for all people

- for fair trade and justice 

Jesus, the Cross and the Nails

To the cross: The nails

Listened to a really good talk tonight.

We don't like it when we feel that circumstances are out of our control.  There could be many causes for this and we can feel irritated, stressed, frustrated by not feeling we are in control.

How do we respond?

- wait until we are back in control

- fight until we can get life contained and back under control.

What sort of person was Jesus?

John 18:1-12 (NIV)

When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, and he and his disciples went into it. [2] Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. [3] So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. [4] Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, "Who is it you want?" [5] "Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "I am he," Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) [6] When Jesus said, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground. [7] Again he asked them, "Who is it you want?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." [8] "I told you that I am he," Jesus answered. "If you are looking for me, then let these men go." [9] This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: "I have not lost one of those you gave me." [10] Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) [11] Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?" [12] Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. 

Peter was obviously a fighter but what about Jesus? He put up no fight.

Was Jesus surrendering to the soldiers? No He had already done that earlier to his Father. He knew that the plans that the Father had were above all things that his own ambition would want.

John 19:14-16 (NIV)

It was the day of Preparation of Passover Week, about the sixth hour. "Here is your king," Pilate said to the Jews. [15] But they shouted, "Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!" "Shall I crucify your king?" Pilate asked. "We have no king but Caesar," the chief priests answered. [16] Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus.

John 20:24-29 (NIV)

Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. [25] So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." [26] A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" [27] Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." [28] Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" [29] Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Think of some the things that Jesus did with his hands during his life. The ordinary, the extraordinary, the people he touched and healed, the miraculous. Think of the power behind those hands - they flung stars into space.

Think of those hands that had been pierced by the nails. The pain, picture the scene two thousand years ago.

Feel the nail and feel the pain and humiliation that Jesus faced on the cross.

See the marks on his wrists, the willingness with which He went to the cross for us.

It wasn't the nails that held Jesus to the cross, it was the love of the Father for us, the love of the sun for the Father.

Could there have been another way?

No - there was no other way for our sin, our failure to respond to him appropriately.

We are deeply flawed people yet at the same time deeply loved by God.

How can we respond?

- surrender to God

- surrender of our past, present and future to God

- surrender of that desire that we are in control

In light of what He has done it would be appropriate to surrender all that we are to Him.

Will we metaphorically hold out our wrist to the nails?

But why did Jesus surrender so willingly? Why did He surrender to separation from His Father in Heaven?

It was a huge struggle for Him to say yes.

Hebrews 12:2-3 (NIV)

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. [3] Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Jesus eyes were not focused on the cross and the immediate circumstances but on where it was heading.

We can take confidence in this and if everything feels a failure now we can focus and lift our eyes on  Jesus.

The final victory will be His.

Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The same hands that were pierced by the nails are now the hands that won the final victory 

The Apprentice 2012 - the candidates

It's that time again to meet the candidates for the Apprentice!


Adam Corbally

Azhar Siddique

Bilyana Apostolova

Duane Bryan

Gabrielle Omar

Jade Nash

Jane McEvoy

Jenna Whittingham

Katie Wright

Laura Hogg

Maria O'Connor

Michael Copp

Nick Holzherr

Ricky Martin

Stephen Brady

Tom Gearing

Should children obey their parents?

Ephesians 6:1-2 (NIV)

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. [2] "Honor your father and mother"---which is the first commandment with a promise---

Why should children obey their parents in the Lord?

- it honours them 

- the natural law that God has written 

We should interpret the promises in v3 as a guidance for social stability.

Ephesians 6:2-3 (NIV)

"Honor your father and mother"---which is the first commandment with a promise--- [3] "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."

There are many benefits to society when children honor their parents. Good stable framework for the child's future.

Ephesians 6:4 (NIV)

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Why just Fathers?

Do mothers have greater patience when men may be more tempestuous?

Ephesians 6:4 (NIV)

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

How are parents to raise their children?

- with boundaries

- manage who they are friends with

- with love

- with clear standards

- by spending time (not just quality time)

- affection

- trust

How do parents exasperate their children?

- different standards

- not listening

- not saying sorry

- "I was never allowed to ...."

- embarrassing

- not showing love

What happens if they are brought up following Paul's teaching

- stable

- trust in God

- good, well balanced

Slaves and masters

How are Christian slaves different?

Do as they are asked, do it completely and fully as if Christ had asked.

Bearing in mind the horrible and harsh treatment of slaves it would be additionally harder for Christian slaves to be cheerful.

Due to the fact that Paul is actually speaking to the slaves that they are accepted. 

Where the master is a non-Christian the slave would be able to act as a good witness.

Read also 

Philemon 1:1-25 (NIV)
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, [2] to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home: [3] Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. [4] I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, [5] because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. [6] I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. [7] Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints. [8] Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, [9] yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul---an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus--- [10] I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. [11] Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. [12] I am sending him---who is my very heart---back to you. [13] I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. [14] But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced. [15] Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good--- [16] no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord. [17] So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. [18] If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. [19] I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back---not to mention that you owe me your very self. [20] I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. [21] Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask. [22] And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers. [23] Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. [24] And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers. [25] The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Why should they serve?

Ephesians 6:7-8 (NIV)

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, [8] because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.

What do Christian masters and slaves have in common?

Ephesians 6:9 (NIV)

And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

Happy Mother's Day Mum

My Mum

My Mum that Loves
My Mum that Cares
My Mum that Helps
My Mum that Worries
My Mum that's with me through it all
My Mum that raised me to be who and what I am
My Mum that encourages me
My Mum that works hard For me
My Mum that sacrifices
My Mum that is here only for me
My Mum that is kind
My Mum that Is warm-hearted
My Mum that Is super-women

Windows 8 demo

This is just a short demo of Windows 8 starting up, loggin in and the new tablet friendly start button.

Installing Windows 8 Consumer Preview on a Mac

A simple guide to installing the Windows 8 Consumer Preview on a Mac

Step 1: Upgrade VMFusion to version 4.  Once installed you will need to carry out "Software Update" as this will be needed to install Windows 8.

Step 2: Download the ISO image for Windows 8 consumer preview from http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/iso

Step 3: Make a note of the relevant product key as you will need this later

Step 4: In VMFusion 4 select "New" then "Continue without disk"

Step 5: Select the ISO image you previously downloaded

Step 6: Follow the remaining installation steps

I still have yet to explore the delights that Windows 8 will have, but it is quite cool to see it running on my MacBook Air.

My Mac collection

There have been many excellent products launched by Apple and every fan will have their own favourites.  For me the three defining products are:

The iMac G3 - the revolutionary and beautifully designed computer that revitalised the fortunes of Apple after Steve Jobs returned.

The iPad - the tablet that has set the standard for all other tablet makers to follow.  Many people said that there was not place in the market for such a device but the incredible number of sales proves that the iPad is a defining product.

The MacBook Air (2011 model) - the laptop that defines the standard for ultra fast and ultra portable devices.

Evi - the Siri alternative for iPad

Following an excellent review I read the other day I downloaded an App called Evi which is a Siri alternative for iPads and Android phones.

The search facilities are excellent and the quality of the voice recognition is superb. I have a strong West Country (UK) accent which Siri has found hard to understand.  The AI gives some fun and generally accurate results.

This is not an App I will be using everyday to manage my life as I does not yet have the functionality to update calendars, send emails etc.  It is fun and definitely shows what can be done.

My 100th post - countdown to Spring Harvest 2012

The countdown is on for Spring Harvest 2012.


As a family we are really excited about heading down to Minehead in just over a months time for Spring Harvest 2012.


The themes for each day are looking really exciting and details have now been posted on the Spring Harvest website.

Each day we will look at a ‘brilliant idea’ involved in God’s founding of the church:

Day 2 - God’s brilliant idea - ‘Shine through them!’

God chooses to shine his light through human beings, and since Pentecost this has meant the church - the People of God. We will look at the connections between church and mission, and just how it is that God shines through his people.

Day 3 - God’s brilliant idea: ‘Give them power!’

God does not only ask us to shine for him, he empowers us to do so. The ‘shining’ of God’s people comes from the infilling and in-fuelling of the Holy Spirit. We will look at the New Testament description of the church as the Community of the Spirit, the very dwelling-place of God and explore the Holy Spirit as God’s gift to the church.

Day 4 - God’s brilliant idea: ‘Help them love!’

As we engage with God’s mission in the world, we follow the lead and the example of Jesus, whose self-giving love is the very basis of our faith. Servant love is to be the mark of the Christian community. We will explore the calling of the church to be the Body of Christ, called by him to continue his ministry in the world.

Day 5 - God’s brilliant idea: ‘Make them one!’

The church the New Testament foresees is multicultural, multi-national and multi-lingual. The name given to this people in the Bible is the Bride of Christ - beautiful, sparkling and deeply loved by God. We will explore the joy of our diversity; embracing the call of God to reach every tribe and culture and escaping cultural captivity to express love for the ‘other’.

Over these four days the threads of church and mission will be woven together. Our vibrant, practical programme will get you thinking more, loving more and doing more. Spring Harvest 2012 is a celebration of the most life-changing, world-shaking community in history. Join us in April and bring your family, friends and your church!  

YouTube update

I have made some updates to my YouTube channel and a small redesign.  I have also paid for some advertising and exposure from http://www.daviddifran.co/ 

My stats are not hugely impressive with just under 2000 video views and 8 subscribers but I do hope to increase my subscribed viewer base.


Click the YouTube icon below to subscribe today.

Recommended website: www.teksocial.com

Over the last year I have spent quite a bit of time on the website www.teksocial.com and have submitted a number of articles and videos via TekSocial video

If you are looking for a great example of an effective blogger / video maker / creative check out the excellent work done by David Di Franco.  I have learnt much from both the content on David's site and the videos he has uploaded.


David has written a couple of ebooks which are excellent and are well worth downloading.

App Store 25 Billionth download

I would love to be the 25 Billionth download from the App store - to win this prize would be awesome.


What is more awesome is the sheer number of downloads that are made from the App store.


I think the App store model is really good and has been such a game changer in the whole field of App development and distribution.

A new MacBook Air

After the disastrous events of last week I am writing this on a  brand-new just out of the box MacBook Air.  Thanks to my time machine backups I literally carry on from where I left off.

This is my first new Mac and having a machine straight out of the box is really exciting.

The stats are really exciting ...

5 weeks old

0 battery load cycles

My new MacBook feels like having a new notepad - full of potential!