This post originally appeared at the Pen & Links blog

As you could probably tell from the majority of my posts, I’m a fan of an open and free Internet. Not just because it theoretically puts me on equal footing with larger businesses and publications, but because it brings a wealth of information to people who may not have found it otherwise.

That’s why I’m thrilled to see that China’s experiment in Internet censorship is starting to show some cracks. A lack of funding could eventually shut down it’s Green Dam program. The country had tried to require PC makers to install filtering software on any computer sold in China.

What did this software filter? Why pornography of course. Dirty filthy terrible pornography. A scourge on society. Oh and any references to democracy and other things the Chinese government was offended by. But by golly, they knocked out all that pornography.

A rule of thumb I always go by: If someone is making a stink about blocking pornography or going after child predators, take a closer look at what they’re proposing. Nobody would ever dare risk being labeled as a defender of child molesters, so it’s the perfect cover to sneak in something controversial without it being debated.

This post originally appeared at the Pen & Links blog

A funny thing happens when you wait in line forever and eventually get your phone. You end up too tired to remember to write about it.

So what you missed at the end of Thursday’s drama was me finally getting my phone after 16 hours. Waaaaay too long to wait for anything. And as my girlfriend pointed out the next day, her brother-in-law got his phone in 20 minutes at Walmart.

I’ve taken the weekend with the iPhone 4 so far sans case. I laughed off the antenna issue it’s been having since I thought it only applied to left-handed people. For those who haven’t heard, the antennas (antennae?) use the band around the phone as an amplifier. That’s great until you hold it in a way that bridges the gaps on the bottom of the phone. Then you can kiss your reception goodbye.

Like I said though, I thought this was a lefty issue. Then I realized when I’m trying to surf the web or write long messages like blog posts, I tend to hold it in my left hand and type with my right. Oops.

Aside from that though I’ve seen nothing but good out of this phone. Before you read this though, realize I’m upgrading from a 3G to this one so I skipped last year’s 3GS. The differences I notice are magnified.

The phone itself runs much more snappily. As I type, the letters actually keep up with my speed. My 3G had significant lag, especially with text messages. This means I can actually write posts from this *gasp*!

Unlike the 3G, I can actually use the camera on this phone. The shutter lag is completely gone and when I tap to adjust the focus, the settings change almost instantly. I’m not impressed with the magical illuminator thing they’re not calling a flash but actually is a flash. But then again I hate using my normal camera’s flash anyways. I’ll include a couple of samples with this post.

The speed difference for me overall is significant. Take for instance the game Peggle – which if you haven’t played, stop reading and find it. It’s on the iPhone, Mac, PC, Steam, xbox,etc. so there’s no reason you haven’t played it. Ok end of diversion – which begins on my 3G with a 10-second loading screen that plays a tune whose name eludes me. On my iPhone 4, I’m three notes into the song and it’s loaded.

I’m also impressed with the fact I’ve had this phone for three days and it’s shown no smudges or scratches. The fingerprints tend to disappear quickly. And it’s not been because I always wash my hands. Well, I wash my hands, but I’ve let half the office practically fondle the thing so it’s been somewhat stress tested. No drop tests yet though. This thing came out of my own wallet so if you want to know how durable it is, either wait for my clumsiness or do it yourself. But before you do, buy me an iPad since you’re Rich Uncle Moneybags.

The last thing I can think of was the upgrade which was a snap. Make sure to make a backup of your old phone first though. From there it’s just a matter of plugging it in and telling it to restore. The longest wait will be for your music and movies to transfer. All your saved game progress should transfer too. The only thing that doesn’t will be any passwords you have stored.

Whether or not you upgrade is up to you. Personally it wasn’t worth the 16-hour wait in line, but that’s because nothing is. However if you have to wait an hour or so and have money, you’re solid. Gazelle.com is offering me $83 on my functioning 8GB iPhone 3G and $94 with the transfer cord and charger plug. Frankly I think only $11 isn’t worth it, and you’re better off just holding onto the charger.

It’s still on AT&T, but outside of one gap on my commute, it’s not an issue for me. Verizon for some reason won’t work in my house.

It’s a bigger upgrade than from the 3G to a 3GS, so I’d recommend it if you’re in the market for a phone. Speaking of which, check with AT&T if you bought your phone before this year as you’re likely eligible for an upgrade.

This post originally appeared at the Pen & Links blog

Well I thought I had the right idea when I started my search for an iPhone.

I got word late Wednesday night that the Walmart in Marysville would have iPhones in stock starting at 8 am. After waiting around until 3 am, I found out from one of the managers that even though I was fourth in line, they only had two phones in stock. The three guys that were there brought lawn chairs, water and a steeled resolve not to move.

Instead of giving up hope though, I decided on a lark to try the Roseville Apple Store. It sounded like a good idea at first, but it’s lost its luster after 28 hours without sleep. Unfortunately poor planning has made this more of a headache than it’s probably worth.

Let’s start with outside the mall before it opened. There were two lines stretching from the entrance outward in opposite directions. Nobody knew why there were two lines. There were just two lines.

When the mall opened, the Apple Store reps decided to take a handful at a time from each line. I waited with anticipation to see if I’d get in the door or get the runner-up prize of a couple of hours of sleep. When I finally got in the door I realized that from here they were separating people into those with reservations and those without. The shorter line was those with. The massive human hydra snaking through the mall was my line.

And so we the unwashed masses waited until the store opened at 7 am. There were only just over 130 of us so in theory we would be gone by noon. Then the line didn’t move for an hour. And finally when it did, one of the most sinister plans took place. For every one person that walked in from our line, 30 others went in from the reserved line, essentially grinding out line to a groaning halt.

But wait there’s more!

On top of this, AT&Ts servers took a massive dump. Phone order processing ground to a halt under the server load of thousands of phones being verified. Orders were now going from the typical 10 minutes to a half an hour or more.

The only solace is we’ve been fed relatively well. The Apple Store has supplied us with doughnuts, water and Chipotle throughout the day. Still, lukewarm water isn’t going to make up for the poor planning that’s taken place today.

I’m still waiting in line but if there’s one thing I’ve learned today, it’s this.

Given the choice to get ahead on your bills or preordering an Apple product on the first day, choose the latter. That way you can sleep

This post originally appeared at the Pen & Links blog

Well I thought I was going to have a scoop today on Walmart having the iPhone at midnight tonigh, but I just called and found out it won’t be in until at least June 29. I also called the Best Buy in Chico and was told if you didnt preorder between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. tomorrow that it would be a 2-month wait. Which tells me what’s a place not to get an iPhone.

Anyone out there have tips on places to get one in the Yuba-Sutter area without selling the first-born child I don’t have?

And don’t say AT&T stores because if you haven’t reordered you’re screwed.

This post originally appeared at the Pen & Links blog

Just a heads-up in case you haven’t checked already: Apple has released iOS 4.0 for the iPhone and iPod Touch. The download is free for iPhone and iPod Touch users, since Apple changed its accounting practices last year. As much fun as slogging through the financial minutia of Sarbanes-Oxley is, I’m going to wait for another day to explain that.

Simply plug your iPod Touch or iPhone in and tell iTunes to check for an update on the device screen and the download should start.

And a warning for those of you who own both an iPod Touch and an iPhone, you’ll have download both and no you can’t do them at the same time.