I’m still trying to break the “one post per month” spell the blog has been under for quite some time but I haven’t succeeded — yet. However, another big change is happening in my life that I felt warranted a quick update.

As most will know I’ve been working in software for the past few years. It was fun and challenging, but one thing was noticeably missing. The type of creative “spark” and innovation I enjoy leading weren’t possible from where I was situated. Sure, things did happen, but not as quickly or as cleanly as I would have liked.

After looking at things in retrospect I decided that it was time to shift focus. I didn’t want to leave IT, but I did want to position myself within an organisation that fosters creativity and innovation. Recounting my experiences from working at Apple and within the advertising/public relations space, I knew that’s where I wanted to be.

That said, I’m incredibly pleased to announce that I have accepted a position with AKQA.

What is AKQA, you ask? Simple. A large, multinational interactive advertising agency. But, it doesn’t stop there. They’ve been consistently ranked as one of the best agencies around year after year. They were even named “Agency of the Decade” by a highly respected industry publication.

AKQA specializes in internet and digital advertising and works with a number of well known clients, including Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Nike, Visa, Microsoft, and Smirnoff. Use an Xbox 360? AKQA designed the user interface.

I start as the IT Manager for the DC office on December 10. Besides traditional IT work, I’ll also be getting my feet wet on the creative side of the house. Of course, updates will be forthcoming as soon as I can manage them.

Until then it’s back to trying to get the blog back on track. Hopefully.

Not a good evening for the kind folks at Airbus. A brand new Airbus A340-600, serial number 856, due to be delivered to Etihad Airways in a few days’ time had an accident during an engine run-up test.

Initial reports suggested that the aircraft may have jumped its wheel chocks before careening into the noise abatement wall at Airbus’ facilities in Toulouse. A later update from Airbus said the incident occurred while the aircraft was exiting the test area. In either scenario, the engines would need to have been running at a high RPM rate (known as %N1) to produce the type of thrust necessary to scale the wall.

Nine people were on board the aircraft including two members of Airbus staff and seven from Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies. Five people were treated for injuries. Remarkably, there were no fatalities. Subsequent images showing the flight deck area (”section 12″) on the aircraft show a considerable amount of damage.

No official decision has been made on that will happen to the airframe. Based on my limited knowledge, the aircraft will more than likely be written off with salvageable parts being removed for spares or for inclusion in another aircraft after recertification.

After the landing incident at Quito earlier this week involving a similar A340-600 from Spanish carrier Iberia, this hasn’t been a good week for the model. Despite a number of accident-related hull losses for the A340 family, there have been no fatalities to date.

[Image Copyright © Zubova Marina]

It honestly seems like I never leave this place. Of course, all the cool tech conferences and expos take place here, so I guess that’s why.

This time, I’m in town for VMware’s VMworld 2007 Conference. I’m really looking forward to this. We use VMware tools on a daily basis in our testing and application development within Group Logic’s R&D division. For us, it is an invaluable tool that consolidates hardware and resources, enabling us to remain agile, eliminate delays, and consistently guarantee quality for our customers.

However, there’s more to VMware than just SDLC tools. Amazing things are happening in the virtualization marketplace and that’s why I’m here. Always looking to push the envelope, I’m hoping the knowledge I gain from the sessions I attend will directly translate into beneficial changes at Group Logic. We’re just starting to scratch the surface with this technology, and there’s a huge amount of potential that we’ve yet to tap.

Since this is my first time attending this event, I’ll more than likely sum up my experiences in a later blog post. I’ve heard mixed reviews online, including this being very sales-focused, but with the amount of hands-on labs, sessions, and industry leaders present, I’m sure there is something for everybody.

I haven’t had a chance to take proper pictures of my new Mac Pro since I unboxed her a short while ago. Granted, things at work have been very busy. Tonight, though, an excuse came up for me to take some new pictures: I just received the new Apple Keyboard. Two of them, in fact.

So, armed with that, I pulled out the trusty digicam and fired away. Some changes have been made since my last series of pictures. Of course, the computer is new. I also replaced my old Philips LCD TV with a snazzy new 26″ Sony Bravia LCD. And, a bunch of accessories have managed to find their way to the machine, including a new Wacom tablet.

In addition to those changes, I recently had to send both of my displays in to AppleCare for repair. They both came back with new panels of the revision “B” variety. That means they’re not only brighter but they have improved contrast ratios. While the enclosures haven’t changed, the fact the panels are new has increased their lifespan by a large margin — meaning I won’t have to replace them all that soon.

And, for the über-geek in you, the specs: dual quad-core 3.0GHz Xeons, 16GB of RAM, 4×500GB hard drives, Radeon X1900 XT graphics card and dual SuperDrives.

This is just the teaser picture, or “hero shot” as I like to call it. My Flickr gallery has a full photo set, including pictures of the new keyboard.

Wow! Three aviation posts in a row! This is an interesting time of year. Boeing just debuted the 787 Dreamliner, followed by Virgin America’s announcement that they’ve been cleared to fly. Now, rumors abound that Airbus will deliver the first A380 to launch customer Singapore Airlines ahead of schedule. Granted, the programme is 2 years behind the original schedule, but good news is definitely welcome in light of their recent problems. Apparently the wiring issues have been corrected, and work may be progressing faster than initially expected.

The picture above was taken at Toulous-Blagnac airport in France, where Airbus’ main manufacturing operations are located. The aircraft was returning from Hamburg-Finkenwerder, which serves as the main cabin installation point for many Airbus aircraft.

It looks pretty stunning, I’ll say. I can’t wait to fly on one.

[Image Copyright © Christophe Ramos]

Finally! After some initial turbulence over Virgin America’s ties to Brit billionaire Sir Richard Branson, on Wednesday the US DOT authorized the airline to begin selling tickets while the FAA certified its jets as safe to fly. All that’s necessary now is for VA to release its initial schedules and actually sell tickets.

I’m excited about this. Why? Well, like other Virgin companies, Virgin America is planning on bringing a number of innovations to air travel. First and foremost — the airline has sourced brand-new Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft. As with other LCCs — namely JetBlue, Skybus and Spirit — new aircraft are more comfortable, more efficient and spend less time on the ground in maintenance where they don’t make money. Fortunately, VX chose Airbus and not the Boeing 737.

To me, the Airbus product is vastly superior because the interior feels lighter and more spacious, they’re less noisy on the inside, and, well, they’re slightly more technologically advanced than the 40-year-old 737 series. (No, this isn’t me trying to start yet another Airbus vs. Boeing war in my inbox; it’s just my personal preference.)

Of course, new aircraft also allow newer interior amenities. A state-of-the-art LED lighting system will help set the mood inside VA’s planes. (Something the 737 Rustliner hasn’t figured out how to do just yet…) Touchscreen control panels at the flight attendant stations will allow for a preset colour scheme to be used and changed throughout the flight. (Again, no gee-whiz like this on the 737.)

As for seating Virgin will offer two classes. The Main Cabin experience will include the largest seat-back televisions of any US airline with an advanced, sophisticated in-flight entertainment system made by Panasonic. Featuring free television shows, games, live onboard chat, the ability to order food from your seat (some items will be free and included in the fare,) and more, this will definitely differentiate it from competitors’ offerings. Each seat will also have a USB port, RJ-45 Ethernet port and a standard 110V outlet. (No adapter required!)

The Main Cabin seats are manufactured by Recaro and are arranged with a 32-inch pitch. The coverings are leather, and, because of the thin seat profile (1.5″ thick) you’ll have more clearance for your knees when your fellow passenger in front decides to shove his head into your lap and shatter your kneecaps.

Up in the front of the ‘bus the First Class offering includes the same food and entertainment options, however, the televisions are armrest mounted and movable. Plus, you’ll get a movable light so your late night reading doesn’t keep everybody awake. The seats, go figure, are big: 55-inch pitch plus a massage function and various recline controls. Of course, they’re leather. And, with only 8 of these seats up front, you’re guaranteed to have plenty of space.

VA posted a video of their in-flight amenities and a basic tour of the aircraft on YouTube. You can watch it here. It is hosted by CEO Fred Reid, who was ousted as part of the deal to get the airplane off the ground.

Flights should begin in August. Washington’s Dulles International Airport (IAD) is listed as an initial destination, along with SFO (their home base), JFK, LAX, SAN and LAS.

[Image Copyright © Cameron Bowman]

Congratulations, Boeing! This evening, in front of some 15,000 people and an audience of millions watching around the globe, Boeing unveiled its 787 Dreamilner. The game changing airplane, built primarily from carbon fibre, features a host of innovations and technologies that will bring big jet ranges to medium size jets, all while burning up to 20% less fuel than current generation aircraft. Inside, passengers will enjoy bigger windows, enhanced lighting, lower cabin altitude and higher humidity, thanks in part to the composite fuselage which is resistant to corrosion and fatigue.

The aircraft is an amazing sight to witness. Seeing it roll into public view for the very first time was awe-inspiring. The clean lines and sleep profile are truly unmistakable. In a few months’ time, the jet will take to the skies for its maiden flight.

Well done, Boeing! Well done.

[Image Copyright © Royal S. King]