Apple picking

I just spent my sunday morning apple picking with the family. The weather co-operated mostly, it wasn't raining, but it had during the night, and it was misty outside.

This post isn't about so much the apples, as it is about the experience. We went to a nice place in Mont St-Gregoire, called verger Leo Boutin. Now i don't know any of the particulars, but this is a quiet orchard. We were the only ones there when we got there. there were a few people that showed up as we were leaving, but it was quiet.

My main question, is why are some orchards more "busy" than others. We were driving back home, and drove by an orchard called Denis Charbonneau, and it was packed. To the point of have parking attendants. What could make that place better than another. Their prices are higher, and it is the same region, therefor the apples are at the very least, similar. What could be different? if anyone knows please enlighten me.

as for my preference, and where i will be going back next year, it's verger Leo boutin again. They are extremely nice, good with kids ( as we brought Zachary and Xavier along. ) The cider is good, the apples taste great. This is a place i would recommend for anyone.

Linux Desktop

I haven't been blogging much lately, as I have been rather busy with work.

But I have a few minutes tonight, and throught it time to write up about one subject that comes up often with some of my friends ( well at the least the IT ones ).

I've been a linux user for quite some time ( going back to early 2005 ) as my primary desktop OS, and i've been pushing and converting people to linux at every opportunity. But one of the things that i always have trouble with, is the lack of, for a better word, shine and polish.

Recently, with one of the Ubuntu ( the flavor of linux I run ) updates, I enabled the advanced desktop effects. They are fantastic. The effects on Ubuntu are managed by Compiz Fusion, in itself this has never been an issue. My problem is why did it take so long for this to be enabled to the masses. But my gripe is not just with desktop effects, but in the overall Look and Feel of applications on Linux.

One of the reasons that I decided to write this up now, is that i've come across a few people on the net who have started screaming a little louder about linux. One of these is Bryan Lunduke, one of the Hosts of The Linux Action Show ( http://www.lunduke.com ) http://www.lunduke.com/?p=223

He's right, take a look at some of the applications running on Linux.....they look exactly like they what they are, developed by developers with no concern for UI.

this is slowly improving, thanks to companies like Canonical, and others, but it's a long road ahead.

anyways enough for tonight, see you next time.

Solisterra.ca reborn

I've recently undertaken the re-design of my uncle's website. This is a webiste for cottage rentals. They aren't "run of the mill" cottages, they are eco friendly, solar powered, located on a prime piece of land.

anyways, the site was poorly designed in my opinion. The usuability was horrible, even the people who had a hand in designing the site, couldn't find what they were looking for most of the time.

here is the new URL: http://www.solisterra.ca

By no means is the site complete, but it is starting out. Please don't hesitate to pass along your comments.