The following tool makes quick work of trying to find differences in the GAC for remote servers and evens offers up a nifty HTML report. Very nicely done.

http://gaccompare.codeplex.com/

A couple things – you need to have Admin rights on the remote computers, the tool does take a while to do the compare (so be patient) and to get the HTML report and other cool features, right-click in the results pane after it has loaded.

Not really…While the new 3Gs brings some great features to the table, it seems by Apple standards more of a technical refresh, as opposed to a next generation product. Which leaves one to guess that next year will bring the next gen iPhone complete with the breakthrough features and a complete product redesign.

So then does purchasing the 3GS mean buying a stepping stone? Sure feels that way. As I don’t have a contract with AT&T, buying the 3GS would mean being stuck with it for the next two years. If a significant iPhone is released next year, where does that put me? Probably like current iPhone 3G owners looking to upgrade to the 3GS.

So what’s an iPhone eager person to do? Well, carefully thinking through everything – I’ve concluded that my best option is to the buy the iPhone 3GS off contract, meaning paying full retail price (yep, a nice $700) for the phone. Sounds crazy? Perhaps, but here’s my reasoning:

• Sticker shock yes, but still at $700 – I’m not breaking the bank. Subsidized pricing is nice, but if it means selling my soul for the next two years, I can pass.
• Second, no contract. Meaning I have options. I’ve never been on a cellphone contract (ever) and the thought of one doesn’t make me too happy.
• Third, there is a very real possibility that Apple may end its exclusivity deal with AT&T. If that happens, I can think of a couple other carriers I would like to get my service from instead.
• Next, and most importantly – I can always sell my iPhone 3GS. Used models on eBay have easily fetched $400 to $550. If next year brings a new iPhone, I can ebay the 3GS, recoup atleast half my cost, and have the option of purchasing a new model – possibly at a subsidized price this time since I was never on a contract.

I really wish I could just go for it, get a new iPhone with the 2 yr agreement and be happy. But don’t think I can convince myself that I not making a mistake if I’m doing this for the 3GS. So off contract it is.

Update: Looks like AT&T is reversing course slightly and allowing early buyers of the 3G to get in on the fully subsidized price for the 3GS. Details at: http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2009/06/17/atandt-relents-a-little-lets-iphone-3g-customers-with-upcoming-up/

Update: Talking to my excellent co-workers and friends I found out you can always end your contract early by paying a termination fee of $175 (which goes down each month).  Didn’t know such a thing exists! So with that in mind think I’ll go on-contract and get the 3GS subsidized.

Coca Cola’s latest twist on the product Dasani Essence is bottled water with a hint of flavor and nothing else (unlike a previous attempt that included the artificial sweetener Splenda). The verdict: refreshing, strangely satisfying and Richard Approved™ My favorite one is lime (which happens to be the best flavor in the world …ever) but it also comes in black cherry and strawberry kiwi.

By the way… little known fact about me – natural spring water gives me a headache.

Aesthically, they’re a perfect match, sharing the same black glossy bezel and sky blue led lighting on the front display. Beyond looks, they also communicate with each other through Samsung AnyNet+ technology – meaning as soon as I insert a disc, the player turns on my TV and changes to the right source.  

Amongst other things I like:

• Awesome picture quality for both Blu-ray discs and standard Dvds.
• I can use either my television remote or the remote that came with the player
• This thing can stream high def movies from Netflix! And as if that wasn’t cool enough I can also browse music through Pandora – all from my blu-ray player.
• Compared to my Xbox 360  (which served as my old dvd player) this thing is virtually quiet. Scratch virtual …this thing doesn’t make a sound.

So on to the things I don’t like:

• Eject button on the front isn’t backlit – which makes it hard to find in the dark.
• For a player that originally retailed for $500 the remote control is unimpressive. Fortunately I can use my television remote which is way better and is actually backlit so I can find buttons in the dark.
• If you press ‘pause’ while watching a movie, this thing will autmatically turn itself off after 30 minutes …whatever I suppose.
• Lastly, and my biggest annoyance is that this player won’t remember your last played position for a disc. Meaning that if you ‘Stop’ or turn off the player, you have to start from the begining of the disc to find where you last left off. Very annoying …I mean how hard could this be to do?

Overall, very happy to have purchased this player. If I didn’t have a Samsung television I would have easily considered some other players, but this definitely works for me. Now if Samsung can release a firmware update that enables last-played postions!