I’m that guy who talks about operating systems. In my latest computer purchase, I chose Linux as my primary OS. I like that I can customize it and make it just what I like. I like what the open source movement means for software. Still, I’m not completely happy with my setup. It works, but it could definitely be easier. That’s why I always try to read up on new features that operating systems provide, why I was excited to test out Windows 7 and why I try out several different flavors of Linux in virtual machines. I’m even nerdy enough to get excited when Apple announces that it’s not focusing on any flashy new features in Snow Leopard, just tweaking a few things under the hood. To me, fixing things under the hood is a feature. Even with all those shiny new toys, the thing that excites me most is the general direction that all of these operating systems are converging to one direction: the web.

When you take away all the buzzwords and hype that come with using the web as a platform, this OS convergence can be simply described, as David Worthington does in talking about the upcoming release of Windows 7:

Windows 7 is a big improvement upon Windows Vista, but the hoopla of days when people lined up to buy OS’s is over. There are simply too many alternatives, and the Web is the great equalizer.

This convergence is bringing back the browser wars and it’s increasing innovation. It should be fun, as soon as I get Skype working properly in Linux.

So it turns out that after my last post the Royals have worked their way back to the last place – the basement of the American League Central standings. I think they’re underperforming, and that they can do better, but they’ve definitely got some work to do. They’ve certainly got the talent to make it back to .500, and it will be a disappointing season if they don’t get there. String too many losses together and that’s what you get.

Just over a year ago, I wrote about why I’m a Kansas City Royals fan. A few days after that (one year ago yesterday), the Royals were no-hit by Jon Lester and the Red Sox, which marked the beginning of a twelve-game losing streak. Yesterday, the Royals scored four runs in a ninth-inning comeback. While this isn’t quite redemption for all those people out there who like to rip on the Royals, this season has been a start. Here are a few reasons why:

Back in March, we went to go see the Royals play at their Spring Training home of Surprise, Arizona. They had a bit of a comeback in their win against the Dodgers that day as well, although not quite as dramatic, and not as late in the game, but I was there to enjoy it.

Zack Greinke is amazing. He’s got a Sports Illustrated Cover, his walks are down, his strikeouts are up, and he sports a nasty slider.

More people are watching. You may have even seen them on ESPN this season, especially for that long stretch when they were in first place. They have a newly renovated stadium. Even with injuries to key players like Alex Gordon, they have a real Major League-level lineup, instead of Tony Pena or Ross Gload every day.

There are lots more changes as well, but they all add up to one thing: excitement. That’s something that hasn’t been around much for Royals fans since 2003, but it’s been steadily rising in the last year and a half. If you ask me, that’s a formula for a fun summer.

Facebook has been swept over by a wave of people posting 25 things about themselves. Are those guys too vain? Should I be upset at how much time they waste? I can’t believe they would post such stupid stuff. That’s the approach that Claire Suddath decided to take in her article about the 25 things craze on Time.com. She mocks the 25 things meme, and insults the lists that her friends have written. It could be all in jest, but it doesn’t come out that way. I’m convinced that Ms. Suddath is just a grumpy person. It’s certainly true that lots of people (including myself) that are on Facebook sometimes post things like this because they feel like showing off, but should we mock them for it? And if Claire doesn’t want to read all these things, why does she click on the links? If she doesn’t care about her college roommate’s sister, why is she friends with them? She says it’s because “Facebook is a loose social network” and that “a ‘friend’ on Facebook might translate to someone you’d barely recognize in real life.”, but she’s the one that chose to define her network that way when she accepted to add the invitation to be friends.

A much better approach is this story, shared with my by Margret on Facebook (gasp!). For those of you who are wondering, yes, I actually know Margret in real life. In this “Direct Reply to ‘25 Random Things’“, Rex Huppke takes a different approach at making fun of Facebook users with his form-letter approach to crafting a response to a friend’s 25 things list. It works because of its lighter tone, rather than the grumpiness of Ms. Suddath’s article.

I guess it’s time to start my own 25 things list, but only after I finish my own grumpy letter:

Dear Mr. President,

There are too many states nowadays. Please eliminate three.

P.S. I am not a crackpot.