A Delicious App

I've been using a new app on my G5 the last two weeks, and for a bibliophile and cinephile, it's a godsend. If you have a Mac running OSX, head over to http://www.delicious-monster.com and try out Delicious Library. This app is the easiest way to document your book, DVD and CD collection, and it does it with style and aplomb.

Entering your collection is done through one three ways. The first is by entering in the item's UPC or ISBN number. Delicious Library will connect to Amazon's website and pull down the cover art, as well as numerous details about the item. If your item doesn't have a valid ISBN or UPC, you can also add items by their title or author. However, Delicious Library still relies on Amazon. If it's not in Amazon, you can still add it to Delicious Library, but it will be lacking any pertinent information.

Last of all, the easiest way to add items to your collection is via a video camera connected to your Mac. The preferred camera is naturally the iSight, and the folks at Delicious Monster have written software that converts the camera into a barcode reader. Simply scan the barcode with your iSight, and voila! your item is automatically entered into the Library.

This is the key to making Delicious Library a useful app. If it were a tedious process to enter in your entire DVD collection, the app would wither on the vine. With the iSight, I was able to scan in over 200 items in less than 2 hours. When you've finished entering your items, Delicious Library displays them in a gorgeous "Library" that can also recommend similar titles, keep track of who you loan items to, and even connect to Amazon's reseller bazaar so you can sell your items online.

Yum!

Condi versus Hillary?

The first thought many Democrats had after the pasting they took in the 2004 elections was "At least we'll have Hillary in 2008." Unfortunately, Hillary may not be as much of a shoo-in as many Democrats would like. Although she has managed to avoid any miss-steps as a freshman Senator, there's a long memory of her attempts to institute a monolithic health care program during her husband's first term. There's also a strong association (naturally) with her husband. This will draw out the worst in the Republican voting ranks, and do little to bring swing voters over.

In some ways, her association with Bill Clinton highlights her own failings. Hillary comes across as a superb politician, but lacks her husband's ability to portray empathy. And despite Bill Clinton's centrist policies, there's strong concern that Hillary would move to the left on many issues.

However, the greatest threat that Hillary faces (if she does choose to seek the Presidency) is Condoleeza Rice. As the putative Republican nominee, Rice would attract both women and blacks to the Republican ticket like never before. And (depending on her success at the State Department) her pedigree for national security and diplomacy would be impeccable. Will it happen? The only other potential candidate that I see with the same amount of pull would be Rudy Guiliani. John McCain won't run again due to his health conditions, and even if he did, he would still be viewed as too hot-headed for the Oval Office.

Anybody But Bush?

In following this year's presidential campaign, I'm struck by two things; the overall animosity towards Bush from the rank and file Democrats, and their willingness to let this affect their electoral prospects.

Clinton received a similar level of opprobrium during two episodes of his tenure in the White House. The first was when he sought to create a universal health system while facing a revitalized Republican Congress. The second time was during the Monica Lewinsky affair. Much of the criticism directed towards Clinton was deserved. On a policy by policy basis, his actions were fair game, but it was disheartening to see the discourse become as personal as it did. Part of our American way of life in that we enjoy tearing someone down after we've built them up.

However, the animus towards Bush, Cheney, and most members of the administration seems to be far more vitriolic. Before he ran for Vice-President, Cheney had been viewed as a well-respected public servant through several administrations, and a term in Congress (representing Wyoming). The change in perception is dramatic now. He is instead villified as cronyism personified.

Bush likewise is attacked for a) being too stupid, b) too clever and conniving. This from someone who was truly bipartisan during his Texas gubernatorial career.

Like their policies or not, the Democrats have decided that anyone but Bush is their goal. Their lukewarm support for Kerry masks their real desire, that of rolling back the changes the Republican party has been able to implement since 1994. I just have one thing to say about the ABB mentality. Be careful what you wish for...