Randy Pausch died last week. I was forwarded a link to 'The Last Lecture' on YouTube many months ago and started following his website, waiting for news ad hoping for a miracle.

This guy was amazing. Facing a finite amount of time left to live, he chose to live it to the fullest. His last lecture presentation should be required viewing for all students, it's just that good.

His blog had not updated for a month and I was worried this might be imminent, not because it was unexpected - far from it - but because his insightful comments and thoughts will be limited to what has already been, with nothing new forthcoming.

I found the man to be inspirational. I lost alot of sleep last night when I checked his site and found that he had in fact passed, as I spent the next several hours rewatching the lecture, the Diane Sawyer interviews, and reading much of his writings.

If you haven't heard of him, you should check this link, and watch the entire interview series. It's scheduled to reair on ABC over the next two nights.

So for those living under rocks, there's a new sheriff in town: the 3G iPhone.

But I'm not so sure it is a compelling upgrade from 1.0.

Now the software upgrade is a must. 2.0 software brings Exchange support (and it is pretty nifty) plus opens the platform up for Apps and a few other things, not the least of which include some security enhancements.

But is the difference between 1.0 and 3G compelling enough to upgrade the hardware?

The pluses (some of these are rumors):
1. Better signal quality
2. Better call quality
3. Better feel in the hand
4. Faster data transfers
5. GPS functions

For me, that's about it. The downsides: Plastic case (I prefer the metal) and slightly thicker. Oh, and restarting my contract with AT&T.

To work thru them:
1. My signal quality is pretty good; better however is always better, so this is a nice change.
2. Call quality - again, in general my call quality is pretty good. I most of the time use a wired set of earbuds (I use vModa) and calls are clear. But again, better would be fine.
3. My phone feels fine, to me - but I admit I hesitate to go try the new one, 'cause if there is a significantly noticable feel, that could move me to upgrade
4. Faster data transfers would be great, but I don't use the browser functions all that much. It's a nice to have to me.
5. GPS would be nifty, but this is again a nice to have.

So thinking thru what I do with my iPhone:
- Phone Functions (obviously)
- Email and PDA functions
- iPod functions
- Apps
- Occasional use of Maps and Web Browser

Note: nothing I do other than the occasional map and browser use, none of those functions really take big advantage of the new features. perhaps signal strength would be helpful, and arguably the 3G data transfers would better support the downloading of graphics and/or attachments in email.

Overall: A nice upgrade but not compelling eough for me to make a move yet. I'll be keeping my eye on the performance of EDGE and if it becomes irritating enough, I will probably consider an upgrade, but for the time being I think I'll stick with my current device.

No sympathy for this guy - you give up all sorts of rights and privelidges when enlisting in military service.

I recall pretty clearly the first Sunday I spent on Parris Island. The DI's gave us a choice: Protestant Services or Catholic Mass - and you will attend one or the other.

I also find it amusing how he decided to organize a chapter of the "Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers" and was left amazed when this was nixed by his command structure.

I'm sure the lawsuit is to protect his rights, and has no interest whatsoever in a monetary settlement. Yeah, suuuure.