Here’s the deal.  I clicked on the link to install the Google Toolbar while reading my email in Chrome.  It redirected me to the install page then said I needed to have the latest FireFox 2.x installed to install the toolbar.  Well, for starters I want it for Chrome not FireFox, secondly I have FireFox 3.0.1.  Shouldn’t Gmail know that Chrome is a browser that doesn’t support toolbars?  Come on. 

Chrome has a lot of issues from what I can tell.  There are still issues with FaceBook that haven’t been resolved and JavaScript functions on other sites are causing problems as well. 

Also, Gmail is still in Beta.  Don’t they have a road map for release?  How many years is it going to take?  I am starting to have serious doubts about Google’s ability to release reliable software that we can bank on.  Perhaps they should get a product out of beta before releasing a bunch of other Beta software, please.  Good thing everyone gave them their money up front in share purchases.

I have been writing code with CSLA 3.5 in VB.Net.  I have to say there are some really cool new features.  I love the fact that that the backing fields for properties are a hybrid of fields and smart objects.  Who really liked setting the PropertyHasChanged in every property set.  This is much cooler.  I'm still picking up on the child objects and few other nuances. 

I am working with Oracle so I use DataSets (ugh!) to handle the data.  I have been using some Linq against them and it works great.  I can't wait till there is a Linq to Database.  You have to think that it is going to come along some time.

Since I switched to C# full time, coming back to VB.Net really sucks.  It is entirely to verbose.  C# is just straight to the point and gets the work done quick.

I made it to Baton Rouge.  They are still pretty beat up over Gustav.  I have been without Internet at home now for five days.  I have been using my mobile phone for Gmail and Facebook for those five days.  It is interesting to see what you can and cannot do.  The Gmail has all the features available but Facebook has some weird limitations.  The main two is that you cannot write wall to wall or leave a comment.  The comments would be great.  I got my TV listings, news, email, Facebook, and the kids homework page.  I may try Craig's List to see how that works.  I can't wait until I can get everything done on the cell phone.  It gives me a certain freedom away from the computer.  I am going to see about adding blogging features to the BlogEngine.Net.  It provides a great reading layout and flow but you cannot write a post.

Anyway, I have to update my laptop and get everything patched up since I haven't used it for a few months.

Thanks to everyone who got in touch with me while I was traveling.  It felt good to be connected even when your not physically connected.

I got three comments on my web site from some guy who was trying to win some SEO challenge.  It dawned on me that he was actually trying to boost his web site by latching on to blogs and raising his page rank.  I felt a little stupid.  So now I am a little more weary about allowing others to post to my site.  I weed some of them out but its hard to know who’s who right?  It goes to show that if you are going to take the time to leave a comment, even if it is only a thank you, make it at least two sentences.  One for the thank you and the second for what you did with it.  At least you are passing on the value to others and making the post a little more legitimate.

So I started listening to some French radio on iTunes and found some good songs.  There are some great sounds on the channel and here are some others that I heard this morning that sounded really good.

Alicia Keys - Like you’ll never see me again
Rufus Wainwright  - Hallelujah
Dido – Here with me
Lenny Kravitz – Stillness of Heart
Fergie – All that I got
Eamon – Fuck it!
Elsa Lunghini –Oser
Scissor Sisters – Laura
Leona Lewis – Better in time
Jason Mraz – I'm yours

If you actual read this post and are in the St. Louis area you need to check out 89.1 FM.  I am surprised by how many people do not even know this radio station.  It's a must.