So, Shawn has finally returned to trying to get some research (my own)-related writing happening (it’s only taken me two years to get back to it). And as those that know me realise, I am very place-conscious when it comes to finding the magic Third Place that I need to work effectively. The parameters are defined:

1. I can only seem to get effective writing and thinking done in the morning. Starting at 6am doesn’t pose a problem, in fact the mind is nice and sharp and creative at this point. Nothing makes me feel better than being able to put finger to key (or when using the iPad to screen;-) and get into the flow. Realistically in changed circumstances 8-8:30am as a starting point is more realistic.
2. I am not easily distracted by going on around me (within reason) and do actually seem to cocoon mentally when there is a bustle about.
3. I do like to be able to get a good latte and sometimes an occassional breakfast item, but usually am bringing along my own porridge.
4. I need a power outlet as the batteries on both MacBooks went to about two hours life after making the ‘upgrade’ to Snow Leopard.
5. I also need wifi access as much that I seem to do requires internet access. My little 3G dongle often suffices, but I have discovered that it can be easily stymied and can prove problematic.
6. Comfort is nice (i.e. a plush chair), but often a table keeps me honest (and let’s be honest – good posture is to be respected).
7. It should be located within easy proximity of home, but also in the direction of the office.

So, the usual suspects are easily investigated.

Starbuck’s Mespil Road is a nice shop. Comfortable and location is great. There is free wifi when you keep a minimum amount on your Starbuck’s Card, but the BTOpenZone service at this location is dodgy to the point of unusable. The iPad does better than the laptop. Unfortunately the 3G modem cannot find signal and is a non-starter. The coffee is good, although vanilla lattes at Starbuck’s in Ireland are very different beasts and I tend towards a soy chai latte instead. The porridge (referred to as perfect) very pricey and comes in a very small quantity. The addition of fruit and honey to it is a nice touch, but not at nearly €2 extra. I am forced to look elsewhere.

The alternate Starbucks is a 10 minute walk to Shelbourne Road. There is no wifi here. It’s a non starter. It might have worked on the 3G front, but that is limited to one device and location takes it away from the office.

The Coffee Company on Mespil is also potential, but it too suffers from a 3 3G blackout and only has outside seating…fine on the fine days…not so good otherwise. They make a mean latte though and do have porridge available at a reasonable price and good quality.

The new Fixx Cafe over on Dawson Street is also a contender. It offers free robust wifi and is a very comfortable spot. The coffee is extremely good. The rather funky furniture works for me and there is a good buzz about the place. When the Costa here closed (I am still in the dark as to why) it was a real blow to the immediate scene. The Fixx has gone a fair distance to filling the gap. The only real downside is that there are no apparent power outlets and I seem to know far too many people that walk in for a cuppa. Maybe a backup.

Today’s excursion was to the Cafe Java on Leeson Street. Currently the front runner. Offers free wifi, but cannot join the network. Luckily the place next door also offers free wifi and so we are up and running on the internet access front. There are even two tables serviced with power. The coffee is good, and even a few possibilities should one need some added food content. The only apparent downside is that it is a little quite. Business seems to pick up after 10:30 as locals drift in for a late breakfast. Clearly its not on the business route and doesn’t seem to be an arranged rendezvous for business meetings. Current front runner.

Will keep you posted.

So I got my first push coupon yesterday! I was walking through Ranaleagh past a Spar and I happened to check the time on my phone. When I glanced at the screen, it asked whether I would accept a file from Spar-9-Ranaleagh. Quite prepared to have my phone attacked by mobile terrorist/hackers, I of course clicked ok. I found this all very cool and a small jar was downloaded offering me a spaecial deal on milk if I crossed the street. Cool!I have never experienced this in Canada, but susect I have just lived a sheltered life.

We all know I love my gadgets. As I blogged earlier in the week one of the first things I picked up on arrival was a new disposable cell phone. I chose a little Sony Ericsson 530i from 3.ie because it allowed unlimited Skype usage. I have been blown away by how well the Skype functionlity is implemented on this phone and the mobile itself has demonstrated a few other neat features. My original plan was to get the cheapest thing I could for the interim and purely utilitarian considerations. Then come July 11th ponder the 3G iPhone. However, I have to admit that I am rather pleasantly surprised by the little 530i. Its a solid little phone and pure candy bar form factor. I am glad to be back to candybars and from experience will not use a slider or a flip in the future. I put a crystal case on the 530i to protect the screen (experience with my last SE).
The camera on the 530i is a common 2Mb. I love having a camera with me at all times and the resulting photos are quite fine. Being able to bluetooth these back and forth with my MacBook Pro is brilliantly convenient. And then I noticed that the photo menu offered an option to Blog This…
When I pressed the blog this button it was clearly linked to blogger and I figured (intriguing) I’ll attach this to my existing blogger account at some point and try this. As it turns out its much easier than this and I am very impressed.
To blog one’s life on a Sony Ericsson 530i with 3, you snap a pic, choose blog this and leave the rest to the phone. 3.ie creates a brand new blog on blogger for you, uploads the picture and then emails to your phone a special token. The phone is now linked to this blog. You claim your token via a browser and are then given the option of personalising the blog that was autocreated or simply linking the incomming posts to an existing blog. I happened to have an old one sitting around (NapoleonicTourist…unused since 2006). I pointed to this one and lo and behold there was the pic (not too exciting as I grabbed an image of the wood floor in the apartment). However, this is a very slick and smooth process. It would be very cool if I could send it to my own wp blog, but haven’t figured this one out yet…maybe. But as it stands…very cool and I am going to play with this, see what happens and make 3.ie a little richer for every post

Getting online in Dublin has been a wee bit of a challenge. The wi-fi at the short-stay apartment is intermittent and the cost is oddly variable depending on who is staffing the reception desk. So, we popped out at picked up 3G USB modems from 3. Handy, reasonable and quite speedy. I am sitting on the sofa at the apartment now. Have a solid connection and as long as I don’t go past the 10Gb limit, it costs me 25 euros a month to be able to connect anywhere there’s a signal. It looks like there’s strong 3G coverage throughout Dublin and apparently over 87% of Ireland. So far very impressed. You plug in the small and handy fob, input your number, top up your account with a voucher and go to town. An app pops up when you insert the modem, click connect and the magic happens.