Amen, Meeker. As development continues, the developers need to be paying for the increased usage of infrastructure, utilities, etc. This is a no-brainer, especially in the face of multiple droughts over the past few years, along with increased traffic, etc.

Meeker Wants Raleigh Impact Fees Doubled

So a lot of my disdain and dissatisfaction for using my iPhone with my email has faded away now that Gmail is supporting IMAP. Previously, I’d go into my iPhone, delete messages and then I’d get to my work or home computer and have to delete them all over again. Google gives some basic directions for setting up IMAP on your iPhone (or other mobiles). Use that, but then I highly recommend reading over this page to get all the ins and outs of how to use some of Gmail’s more unique features on your iPhone. It’s all pretty simple and straightforward, but it’s still at the same time, very very useful.

I’m also a huge fan of Gmail’s spam filtering. I’d say it catches 99% of all spam. I run my ryankeefer.com email address through there, and the massive amount of spam has completely gone away thanks to Gmail’s awesome spam filtering algorithms. This is another must have, as the iPhone’s mail app has no spam filter.

So with the holidays, my sick Xbox 360 was a little delayed getting to the Microsoft service center down there in Texas, arriving at the facility this past Monday. But I was unexpectedly surprised to find that as of Tuesday, it had already shipped. Late last night, the UPS tracking number started showing movement. Strangely, I do not have a estimated arrival date yet. I hoping that will appear later today. Regardless,

I’ve gotta think that with the quick turnaround time, I’ll be getting a refurbished Xbox, rather than my own repaired. We’ll see though. I’d be surprised if the serial number of the one shipping to me matches the one I shipped out. I’m hoping if I am receiving a new/refurb that it’s one that has an HDMI output – not likely, but I can hope. Regardless, bravo to Microsoft for owning up to this red ring issue and getting the process efficient. I’ve gone through a bit of withdrawal, but I’m thinking within the next few days that will all be alleviated. Hopefully, the audio dropouts I was getting when running it through my receiver will be fixed as well with my “new” 360. Before the red ring, I’d been running it through the TV’s speakers… totally not the same as 5.1. I’m hoping I’ll be able to crank it again through the home theater and be able to go to 11 when I get Rock Band.