While the vast majority of Facebook users are up in arms about the new layout, I’m finding it to be a pleasant upgrade.  All of the portions of the site that I use are now in the same general area.  Previously, I would have to venture all over the place to get where I needed to go.  I like the fact that notifications for posts, friend requests and messages have been separated into 3 small icons in the top-left corner.  There’s easier access to your groups and applications now that they’ve been posted on the main page.  I’m also finding portions of the site that I never used before because they’ve been uncovered by the new layout.  Twitter integration is still horribly slow, but can you really blame them for making it difficult for you to use a competitor’s product?  Overall, it’s a faster, cleaner interface.

All that I’ve been seeing are complaints for the last 2 weeks about the site, but no one can seem to elaborate on what their issue is with the new Facebook.  From where I sit, the only explanation that makes sense is that it is different from the last version.  Having a strong background in technology and working in the field that I do, you are forced to embrace change.  If you can’t find the benefits of an upgrade and learn to adapt to new technology, you become as obsolete as the last version of the product you were working with.

The masses seem to fear change when it comes to technology.  If something is in a different place or a certain function is not exactly as it was the day before, it automatically “sucks”.  Change means having to learn something new and most people refuse to take the time to do so, even if the end result will benefit them.  I originally thought that the fear of technology itself was partly to blame for the fear of change in technology.  However, disgust in new versions of things seems to span generational gaps.

Needless to say, I’m looking forward to upgrading my user base to Windows 7 and Office 2007.  My phone will be ringing off the hook!!

After writing my earlier post, it occurred to me that I’m not even that big of an Avengers fan and Marvel has been releasing teasers for weeks for an event that I’m far more interested in. The third chapter in the X-Men: Messiah Trilogy hits this April with Second Coming.
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This snow is really starting to cause problems. Apparently Diamond Comic Distributors, who ship the majority of new books on Wednesdays, had no power and no phone as of Monday due to the weekend storm. A recent update says that this outage shouldn’t cause any shipping delays. However, considering the new storm that’s crushing us today, there’s a good chance we won’t see books before next week at this point. Without any books hot off the presses, it’s nice that Marvel has given us some teasers of what’s coming a few months down the line to focus on.
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This is my plea for the show Better Off Ted. It is amazing. If you have not seen it yet…watch it on Hulu now.  If you liked Arrested Development, it is likely you will enjoy Ted.  And Portia di Rossi plays her character perfectly.  Admittedly, I identify quite a bit with her character Veronica….so that doesn’t hurt (And I quote…”I don’t like the way Phil and Lem are, so I’m changing them”).  I wish I could get away with talking like she does…although…some people already think I do  🙂

Just to give you a taste of what I LOVE about this show…here are a few quotes.  Though….they may not be as funny to you on their own….they still crack me up.
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Yes, this is “late” by most standards, but in our defense we had a lot of tough choices to make from last year. Some choices were so tough that we had a number of ties and double entries.  One category had to be completely eliminated due to an inability for some of us to make a decision (When I asked Kevin for his favorite book from 2009, he replied “books are for nerds”).

I think it’s fair to say that everyone here really enjoyed The Hangover, Star Trek and UP! (along with most of the world) as they were under consideration on all of our lists. Angie and I just got around to seeing The Departed late last year, and while I loved it, I couldn’t pick it as a best of 2009 since it was released in 2006.

Better Off Ted and Modern Family appeared on more than one list as close seconds for favorite TV show. While Super Mario Bros. Wii and Wii Sports Resort were definite favorite video games, particularly for Matt and Angie.  Although KevinMLD has become one of the top players in world in iGems, I hear he’s still playing the free version of the game.

Let us know what your Best of 2009 lists look like (especially if you’ve read any good books), and feel free to offer suggestions of good stuff you’re finding in 2010.