The iPhone 3GS is much more responsive than the iPhone 3G and I am impressed with the quality of the new features which have been integrated into the iPhone 3.0 OS.  The video capabilities are extremely smooth and the quality is good for playback on another computer.  The photo system and autofocus results in better quality photos with more vibrant colors.  Some of the problems such as the keyboard freezing when typing too quickly have also been resolved.

Some of the new features which were not mentioned in the WWDC keynote which are included in the new iPhone are:

• Battery percentage indicator
• New earphone design with a focus on the mic/volume control.
• Wipe feature has been increased to 10 invalid attempts
• SMS has been renamed to Messages
• The convoluted AT&T hotspot login procedure has been replaced with a more streamlined system.  Now all you need to do is connect to the hotspot and the iPhone 3.0 software will log you phone in.
• New screen coating which prevents fingerprints.  However the screen is still slick so I put a screen protector over it.

Download IBM Webcast Recording

The slides are now available for download and the recorded presentation should be posted shortly.  I will update this post when I receive the links to the recorded presentation.

PDF of Presentation: IBM Webcast - Sametime Resolve Performance Considerations

On top of this, we are also introducing support of Microsoft Office Communicator Server (OCS).  This does support does not include external IM connectivity to Microsoft MSN at this time.

Please see IBM Technote 1388997 for download instructions

Sametime Quickfind, Notes Inbox awareness, and many other features can generate a substantial number of name resolutions requests. These requests can severely impact performance and capacity in a production environment.  Join us on Wednesday, June 10, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. EDT (14:00 GMT) in this IBM Webcast as we talk about several recommendations and solutions you can implement today to reduce impact of name lookups on your Sametime infrastructure.

Webcast details
Date: Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Time: 10:00 a.m. EDT (14:00 GMT), duration of 60 minutes

IBM Webconference Link: http://www.ibm.com/collaboration/webconferences/center/meetingdetails.jsp?meetingId=DC059C9A81227AD11812AA18892C6D66

Webconference Password: st09june

Dial-in Information (US Participants):
Confirmation code: SAMETIME (72638463)
US toll free: 1-866-617-1526
Toll: 1-210-795-0624

International Dial-in numbers are available at: http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=477&uid=swg21388406

In this webcast, I will cover some of the recommendations IBM support is making and the solutions you can implement today to optimize the name resolution load on your Sametime server and your directory.

I will post another blog entry once I have the conference information for the meeting.

To start the evening off, you make a trip to the extensive salad bar.  Here you are not presented by with the standard fare of salad bar items, but instead have a wide selection which include artichoke hearts, marinated shiitake mushrooms, breads and cheese, smoked salmon and many others.

Once you have finished with your salad, prepare for the meat feast.  To signal the “Gauchos” to fill your plate with delicious meat, turn the token over to green and they’ll bring you slow cooked pieces of meat for you to savor.  Polenta, plantains, mashed potatoes and cheese puffs are also brought to the table to complement your meal.  Eat as much or as little as you want, you will always leave wanting to come back.

To complement the meal, Fogo de Chao offers an diverse wine list and many of the wines are reasonably priced.  Don’t know what to pick?  They always have some recommendations depending on your tastes.  If you have anyone in the party who doesn’t want to partake in the meat selection, tell the server and you can choose the salad option.  I have friends who are extremely satisfied with the salad bar alone.  Every time I go, I take my wife and/or a group of friends with me.  We always have a great time and it is one of the places I will always dream about going back to.  Trust me, visit one of their location when you have a chance.  Did I mention they are not only located in Houston?  You will not be disappointed.

Website:  http://www.fogodechao.com/

Last weekend I had the pleasure of joining some of my friends to celebrate the completion of their Masters in Nursing Science degree at the University of Houston.  One of the evenings, all of us visited a Vietnamese/Chinese restaurant called Sinh Sinh in the so called Chinatown area of Houston.  This restaurant hosts some very traditional Hong Kong style cuisine.

I strongly recommend trying the fish and the BBQ.  Among all of the Chinese restaurants in Houston, I think this one has some of the best Asian BBQ.  One dish which is not on the menu but you can order is a combination barbecue meat plate.  You basically choose the meats you want (duck, chicken, barbecue pork, roasted pig) and they will put a plate together for you.   The barbecue pork and the sucking pig are great picks if you don’t know where to begin.

If you are visiting the restaurant with a group of four or more people, ask for the combination menu.  This is a excellent way to taste the different dishes which they specialize in.  We chose the six person menu option which included a soup, Peking duck, steamed fish (grouper), stir fried chicken with vegetables and walnuts, and a seasonal vegetable.  This was more than enough for us and we left very very satisfied.

Some people complain that the service is a bit slow here, but from the minute we walked in the door, we were immediately seated and were waited upon.  The food was extremely fresh and the service was prompt during our visit.  Of course, your experience may vary.

Here’s the best news though.  You do not need to open a support ticket with IBM to download the updated applets.  They are available on IBM Fix Central for immediate download!  For installation instruction and download information, see IBM Technote 1390778.

The Domino Applets will also expire on May 18th. Information on downloading the Domino Applets is available in IBM Technote 1381298.

However, despite the positive market reactions, yesterday’s news on the financial sector is quite disturbing where ten of the nineteen largest US banks tested need to raise a total of $75 billion to keep afloat.  These ten banks now have to put together plans to raise new capital and exectute them within the next six months.

Want to see how your bank is doing?  Take a look at the table on CNN Money.