Archive for September, 2009
iTunes Play Count: Don’t judge me!
Was playing around on iTunes sorting out some songs & playlists and I thought Id create the following “Smart Playlist” just to see what I got out;
I was a little surprised; so here is the tops 20 list created using the “Smart Playlist” …
… try out the playlist yourself, see what you’ve got.
Holiday Essentials: Digital Pocket Guides
Yeah, before you tell me I know the holiday season is almost over – but hey, there’s always next year!
But I digress; regular viewers will no doubt have seen by expliots in Paris in early September this year. So whats the post about? Well its an overview of some of the applications I used during the break.
The holiday was in two parts; first in Disneyland Paris and the second part exploring the City itself, for a bit of culture. Before hand I bought some travel guides, which I hope would aid the adventure – but they were bulky and although they had a useful map in the back, they were hardly 21st centry.
So I dipped into the iTunes store to see what was avaliable for both the iPod Touch and the iPhone; all the applications mentioned will work on either, but the running on the iPhone will utilise the built in GPS functionality. If you are using an iPhone, make sure you look out for off-line applications – these require no data connection to operate. Remember if you’re outside your country or data area covered by your service provider data costs are heavy. To give you an example O2 in the UK charge £3 (about 5 USD) per MB of data while roaming.
Paris Day7: Say Goodbye
After another great breakfast to keep me going throughout the day – I sadly packed my case and ordered my taxi to the station for 2:30pm
Doing the tourist thing I hadn’t finished; I was only able to work half way through Rick Steves’ Historic Paris Walk that I mentioned yesterday – so it was back on the Metro and out to Notre-Dame again to pick up the rest of the tour.
Below you can see the Conciergerie, not to be confused with the guy that helps you out at the front desk of a hotel 
The Conciergerie is a gloomy prison famous as the last stop for 2,780 victims of the guillotine including Marie-Antoinette. Previously the building had be used to torture and execution of failed assassins.
Paris Day6: Culture Crazy
Throughout my holiday in central Paris, I’ve been using my technology. I’ve been using a number of iPhone applications which use local databases and GPS to route you around the city, find the nearest metro’s etc. There have been a number of digital guides I’ve used as well, later I’ll post some of the ones I’ve used and how to reduce data charges and increase battery time.
After a great breakfast; thanks Sofitel – I was ready to go…
The day started of dark and threatening but I was determined to get out… using Rick Steves’ Historic Paris Walk for the iPhone and Touch was the walk around the Notre-Dame area…
Paris Day5: Culture Shock
Well what a day! Slept well, left the hotel about 10am, visited the Arc de Triomphe at the end of the road…
… and caught the metro. Arrived at walked to Eiffel Tower; got some great pictures it’s an amazing structure built to celebrate the turn of the century in the 1900’s and its still as strong as ever.
Paris Day4: Chalk & Fromage
Dear readers, you will remember that I was enjoying the new room at Disney Newport Bay Club hotel yesterday; well last night at 3am the balcony door opened and refused to close! Lucky it wasn’t wet of cold but after 20 minutes of trying to stop it banging on the stop, I just jammed it open with a chair for the rest of the night – needless to say the interruption ruined my sleep for the rest of the night and I woke up like a bear with a sore head.
Needless to say the “cast members” were as always very helpful and fixed the door around 8am; at which point I went back sleep.
I packed again and distributed my various belongings with the concierge for a half day in the Disneyland Park. I must admit the cast members are great in the hotel, although in my opinion my whole hotel experience with Disney was let down by the physical hotel – however grand it looked.
Paris Day3: Silent Night, Stormy Head
With the fiasco of the rooms yesterday; you’ll be glad to hear that last night I slept the whole night – without interruptions!
But the morning itself woke with a bang. The weather had flipped 180, yesterday was one of the hottest – today it seemed like one of the wettest! Of course it didn’t just rain there was also thunderstorms and lightening – I’m sure it was natures work just to prove Disney how to do it properly.
Breakfast today was with Pluto; he made an appearance in the hotel lobby having pictures taken with the guests – a talented pup, signing autographs as well; although I’m a little concerned as it seems he has very poor vision…
