In comparison, the premium gasoline-powered 335i is rated at 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque, and with the automatic transmission does 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds. However, it is rated by the EPA at only 17 mpg city / 26 mpg highway.

So let's do the math. On the highway (where most of the big mileage is racked up for me, and in the U.S. overall), based on the EPA rating, the 335d gets about 27% better mileage. Right now, diesel fuel is about 15% more expensive than premium gasoline. So it makes financial sense, per-mile. The penalty performance-wise? The diesel is 0.6 seconds (roughly 11%) slower to 60 mph.

Many of the other traditional disadvantages of diesel have been overcome with new technology. AdBlue-injection and the availability of low-sulfur diesel fuel have reduced emissions to meet even strict California standards. Noise and vibration issues have been reduced to the level of typical gasoline engines. With modern engine designs and better glow plugs, cold-weather starts are not a concern unless the winter temperature is regularly below zero degrees Fahrenheit. BMW has a lot of experience manufacturing diesels in Europe, so the 335d should be fairly reliable.

Of course, diesel is only available at one out of four gas stations nationwide. The fuel is "messier" in that it doesn't evaporate if spilled and has a distinct smell. The diesel engines themselves are heavier and more expensive, too.

Taking all this into account, the 335d is hardly a slam dunk, but is worth considering. I know it will be on my car shopping list next year.

The most recent version adds some nice new features, including the ability to open multiple files in tabs (similar to Safari or Firefox). However, one of the Emacs features which I rely on appears to have been changed. When I open a file, I expect a certain context highlighting style, depending on the type of file. Now, I am not an Emacs expert, but years ago I had defined the styles I liked and put them in my .emacs config file. When first switching to Aquamacs, I ended up dropping some of that info and using some of the many built in themes.

However, with this new release (1.4) it seems to ignore that information entirely, and opens files up in some default style. I am not clear why this behavior was changed. I had to dig around the Aquamacs site a bit to find the solution, and I thought I'd post it here, so it might help someone else.

The solution was to add an Aquamacs-specific line to the bottom of my .emacs:

(setq aquamacs-styles-mode t)

This made Aquamacs once again honor the style information I had set.

The only solace for this long-time Laker fan is that the team is young, Bynum will be back next season, and hey, even the Showtime Lakers lost to the Celtics in '84 with Magic looking overmatched. Just like them, I think this current group will be back.

And since I am tired of listening to conspiracy theorists, it was NOT the refs that gave them Game 4. The last play where Fisher bumped Barry may have been an uncalled foul, but on the immediately previous sequence Fisher's shot definitely grazed the rim and the 24-second clock should have been reset. Instead Kobe had only 2 seconds to throw up a shot to beat the clock. If the clock had been reset, the Lakers would have been able to run out the clock or been intentionally fouled. In either case, the last sequence wouldn't have even occurred. This is somehow never mentioned, I don't understand why. The Lakers are simply a better team right now and that is why they advanced.

In the East, The Celtics can only seem to win at home. That won't get it done against the Pistons. I think they'll finally win one on the road, but so will the Pistons, so this one will go the distance, and once again the Celts will pull out a Game 7 on their home floor. Prediction: Celtics in 7

For old-school fans like myself a Celtics-Lakers Finals would be a blast!

Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers - It took Boston seven games to eliminate the worst team in the playoffs. Even though they crushed them at home, they were unable to win a single game on the road. This does not bode well. Boston is a better team on paper, but it all comes down to how well they play defense on Lebron James. I think their best strategy is to try and make LBJ a passer by doubling him, and then rotating to the other guys fast enough so they don't get clean looks. Make those other guys try to beat you. The Cavs need to move without the ball and make Boston pay for doubling James. Too often they just stand around and let LBJ work on his own. That will not get it done against the Celtics. Prediction: Cavs in 7.

Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic - The Pistons have the physical toughness to handle Dwight Howard down low, and the mental toughness to execute down the stretch. The only way Orlando can make this a competitive series is if Turkoglu or Lewis come up huge. So far, that doesn't seem likely. Prediction: Pistons in 5.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz - Simply put, Williams-to-Boozer ain't Stockton-to-Malone just yet. In the first game, the Lakers handled the physical play of the Jazz very well, but if they let the Jazz pound them on the boards again, this could be a long series. Ultimately though, the Lakers have the soon-to-be MVP, and that will be the difference in this series. Prediction: Lakers in 6.

New Orleans Hornets vs. San Antonio Spurs - Man, I hate the Spurs. They have to be respected as repeat champions, but I hate their boring style, their borderline dirty play and most of all their big stars Parker, Ginobli, and Duncan. So as an avowed hater, you'd probably expect I am rooting for the Hornets. And mostly, I am. But if the Spurs slip by the Hornets, I'd love to see my Lakers get the opportunity to knock them out. But the Hornets already smacked them up once, and they've got the talent and chemistry to do it three more times. Prediction: Hornets in 7.

This version is new enough that Fink did not have a binary available, but I was able to build it from source once I enabled rsync updating and the unstable repositories.

It was a lot of effort to get the iTunes Companion widget to upload song information through a firewall, but at least I learned something.

The biggest problem I've seen is with MFC and std::stringstream. I cannot get it to work. A class with a member of type std::stringstream will compile. But when instantiated, an exception occurs in the stringstream constructor (it appears to be a "no memory" type exception which makes absolutely no sense).

If you have encountered similar problems, and have found a solution (other than abandoning C++ standard library calls), I'd love to hear it.

Office - A Night At The Ritz - Well crafted neo-new-wave which is catchy at first blush and rewards with each listen.

New Young Pony Club - Fantastic Playroom - A succinct summation of all that is good in the merging of dance grooves with post-punk.

Stars - In Our Bedroom After The War - Maintains their high standards of sophisticated indie pop.

The XYZ Affair - A Few More Published Studies - Fantastic power pop as re-imagined by emo kids who harmonize like the Futureheads and aren't afraid to throw in a bit of Queen-ish bombast for good measure.

Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga - Lean and mean R&B and soul informed indie rock. Their best since Girls Can Tell.

The National - Boxer - If Alligator was their breakthrough, this is a full realization of their talents. The subtle yet powerful instrumental arrangements are a perfect match for rich, deep vocals and worldly-wise lyrics.

Arcade Fire - Neon Bible - "Antichrist Television Blues" is a biting critique, "Intervention" has a stunning power, "No Cars Go" simply soars and as a whole, the album meets the enormous expectations of following up an album as monumental as Funeral.

Lucky Soul - The Great Unwanted - Last year it was the Pipettes bringing the girl group sounds up to date, this year it's Lucky Soul's light and breezy take on 50s/60s R&B that best puts a new spin on a classic genre. Ace tunes galore!

Interpol - Our Love To Admire - Jumping to a major label hasn't changed them much. This the logical continuation of their musical maturation and, like their previous work, a smooth, enjoyable cocktail of dark post-punk.

Bloc Party - A Weekend In The City - It's not quite as good as their first album overall. But the best moments match their jaw-dropping debut, and even the weaker moments have redeeming qualities. I hope they ignore the critics and continue to follow their muse wherever it may take them.

Honorable Mention (a.k.a. the next ten):

Zeph & Azeem - Rise Up
Rupesh Cartel - The Disco And The What Not
Band of Horses - Cease To Begin
Cut City - Exit Decades
Editors - An End Has A Start
Les Savy Fav - Let's Stay Friends
M.I.A. - Kala
Radiohead - In Rainbows
Pharoahe Monch - Desire
Hard-Fi - Once Upon A Time In The West

"This Is Love" / "Yanks" by The Gist - Stuart Moxham's post-Young Marble Giants project released this single which was not included on the CD release of their album 'Embrace The Herd', nor has it made it to any Rough Trade compilation that I am aware of.

"You Won't See Me Anymore" / "Lipstick Love" by The Nice Boys - I loved the Exploding Hearts, and I dig the Nice Boys nearly as much, but their debut single remains a vinyl only affair, and I'd very much like to be able to hear it!

The Suns-Spurs series should be exciting to watch. I am rooting for the Suns, for two reasons. First, I absolutely loathe the Spurs. They are are like the T1000 in Terminator 2 -- a machine, relentless and soulless. Their grind-it-out brand of basketball makes the NBA boring and ugly (unless you really enjoy Tim Duncan's bank shots or something). Second, I enjoy watching the Suns play -- with Nash at point, shooters all over the perimeter, and Stoudemire throwing down hammer dunks inside, it's pure hustle and flow (as described by TNT analyst Kenny Smith).

In the East, both the semi-final series are intriguing, but I don't have a vested interest one way or the other. The Cavs have LeBron and the Nets have playoff experience. Let's see which proves stronger. The Bulls have Ben Wallace now, and the Pistons have late addition Chris Webber. Let's see who made the better acquisition.

Communiqué - Walk Into The Light - I really dug their Poison Arrows album because of the consistently strong hooks. But on this EP they've got lots of bluster and no hooks. Avoid. 4 out of 10.

Bloc Party - A Weekend In The City - Bloc Party have lost some of the crackling, live-wire energy displayed on their brilliant debut Silent Alarm, but they make up for it with craftsmanship and skill. The songs strike a balance between direct political broadsides and introspective personal reflections. The album as a whole takes a few listens to really appreciate, which may be why the initial reaction has been mixed. While this may not be the near-masterpiece Silent Alarm was, it's a fine album in its own right, and miles ahead of most of their contemporaries. 8 out of 10.

Cut City - Exit Decades - How badly you need to check out this Swedish group depends on how much you like Interpol, Editors, Joy Division and post-punk in general. If, like me, you are an aficionado, you definitely need to track this down. If the style doesn't really appeal to you, then you can safely skip it. It's a genre exercise, albeit a very good one. 7 out of 10.

Ted Leo & The Pharmacists - Living With The Living - It's a bit indulgent at 60 minutes, but there's so much great stuff you can forgive the occasional misstep. Leo is one of the few credible political punk rockers left and he delivers a punk rock smörgåsbord. "Sons Of Cain" is a typically speedy, catchy single. "Bomb. Repeat. Bomb." is a blunt, hardcore political statement. "A Bottle Of Buckie" is an Irish drinking song (a la the Pogues). "The Unwanted Things" is Two-Tone inspired reggae. All of it is worth hearing. 8 out of 10.

Ted Leo & The Pharmacists - Sharkbite Sessions - Only available online via iTunes or eMusic, but worth getting a hold of. The Leo original "Loyal To My Sorrowful Country", plus covers of Split Enz' "Six Months In A Leaky Boat" and Stiff Little Fingers' "Suspect Device" given a rockin' full band arrangement. 8 out of 10.

Arcade Fire - Neon Bible - It's hard to follow up a classic like Funeral which may be the best album of the last 5 years. But with Neon Bible, Arcade Fire have crafted a solid successor. The concept album shows off Win Butler's potent lyrics and the band's swirling arrangements very well. When they crescendo at the same time, like in "Intervention" or "No Cars Go", the effect is transcendent. 8.5 out of 10.

Every Move A Picture - Heart=Weapon - They're basically also-rans in the 80's synth-rock revival (i.e. The Killers, The Bravery, etc). "Signs Of Life" is their best song -- if you like it, the album can be found very cheaply used. 5 out of 10.

Fratellis - Costello Music - Yes, "Flathead" is the song from the iPod commercial. But the rest of the album lives up to that uptempo single. "Creepin' Up The Back Stairs" is another catchy rave-up, "The Gutterati?" is a rockin' statement of purpose, and "Vince The Loveable Stoner" is an amusing goof. If you like hard rock and power-pop, you should check this out. 7 out of 10.

Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank - A denser, more elliptical album than most people expected. The addition of former Smiths axe-man Johnny Marr has added another layer of depth to the sound, but Isaac Brock is still an odd duck as a frontman for a major label act. There's no single as catchy as "Float On", but overall the songs are strong. This is probably not the entry point for new fans (I'd go with The Moon And Antarctica), but notch up another one in the win column for Modest Mouse. 7.5 out of 10.

The Kid - La Société Nouvelle - If you are bored with bands pillaging Joy Division for their post-punk sound, check out Swedish group The Kid. They focus on the New Order sound instead. "The Noble Art Of Jealousy" opens with a bit of 80's style guitar noise, but morphs into a fine "Blue Monday" tribute, "Suicide In Bruxelles" sounds like something from New Order's Low-Life, and their finest song, "Kit Club Hotel" seamlessly grafts a number of goth-pop influences onto a pounding dance beat. 8 out of 10.

Fountains Of Wayne - Traffic And Weather - They're such efficient pop craftsmen, their best songs sound effortless. "Someone To Love" is a typical lead-off single -- catchy and irresistible. "92 Subaru" is a fabulous Cheap Trick knock-off (just like "Stacy's Mom" was nothing if not a Cars tribute). Several other songs are solid as well, but compared to their previous albums, there's more clunkers. If you're a fan, then you should get this without hesitation. If not, any of their previous albums would be a better bet. 7 out of 10.

The Sunshine Underground - Raise The Alarm - Dance-punk is dead. Long live dance-punk. If you like The Rapture, Franz Ferdinand, et al. you need to give this a listen. They're late to the party, but they have brought the goods: a rhythm section that can groove, a front-man that can both yowl and croon with aplomb, and, best of all, actual songs! 8 out of 10.

The National - Boxer - The album isn't quite officially released yet, but the whole thing has been leaked, and it's a doozy. It's enjoyable on first listen, but after a few more it becomes clear that this is a front-runner for album of the year. Matt Berninger's lyrics have become more focused, while retaining that impressionistic, free-form quality that made them unique. The band's musical backdrops are jaw-dropping -- they range from dense and complex to simple and refined, perfectly matching the mood of the song. I'm sure I'll have more to say once it's officially released, but for now I say this: "Get this album!!" 9 out of 10.

Superdrag - Changin' Tires On The Road To Ruin - I wish they hadn't called it quits. But this was a band that could never fake it to make a buck. You could tell John Davis felt his songs to the core, and once his heart was no longer in it, that was that. This is a collection of odds and ends, and it's a delight, with several unreleased gems seeing the light of day. If you are a Superdrag fan, it's a must have. 7 out of 10.

More review to come, stay tuned...

The Hold Steady - Boys And Girls In America - I'm surprised at how much classic/roots rock has positively influenced "alternative" rockers that I've liked over the past couple of years. Ted Leo, My Morning Jacket, The National -- and now add The Hold Steady to that list, as they tighten up their sound for their best album yet. Great, detailed songs that work as character sketches or short stories backed by sympathetic, basic rock 'n' roll.

Rock Kills Kid - Are You Nervous? - It seems so simple on first listen, but this is varied, interesting stuff. 80's influences mesh with 90's alt-rock flourishes, and the genuinely emotional songwriting is solid throughout. And even though the music sounds "commercial" enough for radio play, Jeff Tucker's songs never stoop to generic formula.

The Pipettes - We Are The Pipettes - A throwback to the 1960s girl group era, but with modern lyrics and several standout singles. Indulge the retro pose, and you will be rewarded with the most hummable songs of the year.

The Nice Boys - The Nice Boys - Pure power popsters featuring guitarist Terry Six (of the late, great Exploding Hearts). A low key album featuring ace songs and pithy guitars. "Teenage Nights" ranks with the all time classics of power pop.

The Pink Spiders - Teenage Graffiti - They're power-popsters at heart, with a punk edge, and Ric Ocasek's slicked up production. But what makes the album a true winner is catchy song after catchy song. An absolutely addictive listen.

The Strokes - First Impressions Of Earth - By cleaning up the production on their 3rd album, the Strokes highlighted what a tight band they have become. However, by not self-editing as well as they did in the past, they ended up with an album that didn't hit as hard as their first two. But in the MP3 age, it's easy to cut out the 15-20 minutes of fat. And what's left easily measures up to their much-lauded earlier work.

Shiny Toy Guns - We Are Pilots - As they are careful to point out in the liners, this is the 3rd version of their debut that has been assembled (this time on a major label). Featuring powerful female vocals alternating with emotive male ones, they absolutely nail their 80's based songs. Some of the lyrics are over the top, and the album does run a bit long, but there's gems buried throughout.

Boy Kill Boy - Civilian - The singles (such as the lead off "Suzie") snap, crackle, and pop. And if the rest of this 80's revival album gets a bit samey, it holds interest throughout. If they had hit the scene a bit earlier, they'd probably be held in higher esteem by the press, but the music is more than up to par.

I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness - Fear Is On Our Side - A different take on the 80's influences that have informed some of the better music being produced these days. These guys have a subtle, moody post-punk sound that's refreshing after being hammered with histrionics.

The Roots - Game Theory - The Roots have always had all the elements of greatness. Musicians comfortable with be-bop and boom-bap paired with fiercely intelligent MCs. Their live shows have been consistently solid, but on albums they have been hit and miss. Sometimes the music comes out a little flat, and sometimes the rhymes are too wordy. This time I think they've got the balance right, and have produced their tightest album yet. In the face of gangstas dominating the airwaves and record sales, the so-called 'Golden Age' of hip-hop lives on.

Honorable Mention:

Elefant - Black Magic Show
The Futureheads - News And Tributes
Van She - Van She (EP)
We Are Scientists - With Love And Squalor
Lansing-Dreiden - The Dividing Island
She Wants Revenge - She Wants Revenge
Tokyo Police Club - A Lesson In Crime (EP)
Clear Static - Clear Static
White Rose Movement - Kick
Pretty Girls Make Graves - Elan Vital
Band Of Horses - Everything All The Time

Older stuff I had missed:

Rupesh Cartel - Mainland
The Knife - Deep Cuts
Shout Out Louds - Howl Howl Gaff Gaff
The Faint - Blank Wave Arcade and Danse Macabre