We are officially using Google sites for some simple client sites. It allows the wiki access, super easy to setup, you can use Google Forms 01 | 02, use Google Moderator to Crowdsource Group Questions. The next question is, how to implement ecommerce (adding an ecom componenent - like a module for adding a cart/checkout/etc.). Most carts are really lacking. This is whats hot now: Magento - an open source cart, php5, object oriented, skins, etc. For custom apps, we're using zend framework and symfony framework. Here are some easy examples: SummitChase, AlcovySurveying. This post was completed in part by William Gorman at ContigoTech.com.
Why are we duplicating content? Over, and over and over? Why cant we simply share content - in one location? Or at the very least - torrent it? An example is: my mom sending me a funny video - attached to an email. Why didnt she just send me the URL? It may be, that it all comes down to - ease of use. My mom has no clue what a torrent is. And why would she? Could this be implemented into our email client/web browser somehow? Or could just a link to a specific piece of content work? That way, you can see/listen/view/edit it at any time? Anyone on this? FYI - a reliable way to make new things: work on overlooked problems
This is cool news on the eco-front, but there is something missing behind all this hype... Answers (the real details). What other schools/people want to know: how much did the system cost, what is the return, and how long would it pay for itself? I wish when articles like this are written, that more detailed information was either provided, or linked to - to make it easier for others to determine whether this is feasible for them - and to forward the technology. The TreeHugger article is here.
People have to take full responsibility for everything they throw away.
What a concept. And what a big word that is for our society today... Responsibility. As we are becoming more eco-friendly, we are starting to think in detail - about the impact - of the little things we do. And the change - isnt really all that hard. What Ive realized is, to take a step back, and look at the things I am doing, and try to be more efficient in everything, and less wasteful. The simple act of preparing a meal, to flushing a toilet - all can be re-thought - to work better - and hopefully be more sustainable to the planet. The Digg link to the BBC article is here.
So Im going to a friends wedding in September - and was wondering what the latest airfare tracking website was. Sure, Ive tried Farecast, and love using their info when bidding on Priceline. And now, there is Yapta. This site looks to even store your account #s and mileage for you. And Im excited cuz my flight started out at $423 roundtrip - and is now down to $260 - and may drop a little further (even Farecast confirms this)... It will email you when the price changes (the amount you specify). More info here.
Why are'nt corporations held responsible for their product being in a landfill? They produced the product. They should be responsible for the full life cycle. If they work towards a recycling program of their products, they wouldnt be in the landfill. Each product should come with recycling instructions or web address (with info on that page). Is there someplace that we (as consumers) can find info on how to recycle or return the products/materials that we have, back to nature? Sure abstinence is an option, but it doesnt work for all. What we need is one location to describe the various options for: paper, phonebooks, various plastics, glass, metals, electronics, fabrics, etc. Here's the situation. So every Thursday night, someone drives around the neighborhoods near my house -throwing out free sample newpapers. Did I ask for this? To me, this is someone littering in my driveway. Just a thought.
An interesting part of my dream last night was that my friend Alberto and I were working on paintings in the dream. And what it seemed to me is that many of us work on a painting every day. Sure we may be passionate about the painting -and want to complete it every day, but at the end of the day -its just a painting. How much does a painting help humanity? I truly believe we are here to help each other, but we spend so many hours at a job that is mostly meaningless (it just pays the bills). And your job is part of this worthless society system that is at all new low. What have we become? (...or maybe we were trying to paint our fantasy. Whats your take?)
I really think that Adobe has something powerful with Flex/AIR. And with them moving into the mobile (cellphone) arena, that only makes them even more attractive. I read Cringleys article about the potential for APPLE purchasing ADOBE. From the article "So why, then, was Apple quietly shopping around its entire professional application business to prospective buyers at the recently completed National Association of Broadcasters show in Las Vegas? These include Aperture, Final Cut Pro, Logic, and Shake -- applications that are hardly also-rans in their segments and none of which are antiquated in the least. Final Cut, of course, absolutely dominates the video editing business. Why would Apple want to give that up?" Even if APPLE never intends to buy ADOBE (which is hard to swallow), this may hint at the underlying value of ADOBE in the marketplace. But, could the opening up of Flex & SWFs mean that it is giving up control for product dominance? FYI - ADBE stock at $40 (as of Friday May 2nd) and AAPL stock at $181 (as of Friday May 2nd)
This video blew me away. I couldnt think for 30 mins - I just sat there, gazing and wondering. Then, I thought - is it real? Well, in theory - it could be... Here's more on Phil Parker and his idea. And an interesting take on disruptive business models. Technology is causing changes to occur so rapidly... gotta step back and see if I can catch a glimpse of the bigger picture.
About a year ago, my friend Michael McReynolds, Kris Sheets and I talked about creating a content approval site for clients. We could get work, show concepts to the client, get their feedback - and finally client approval on the work. I mentioned this to the company I work for (NovoLogic.com), and they thought it was a great idea too - especially since we could put it to use there as well. Ben Johnson created a working interface, but this project took a backseat to paying clients. In the last couple months, we ran across 2 websites that offer these services - and they have been working on this for over 2 years now... + Website Review (Launch Demo) + Image Review (Launch Demo) + Document Review (Launch Demo) + Video Review (Launch Demo)
ReviewBasics.com looks to do what we need, but the interface is not as easy to use - as one would expect - in working with clients. I mean to say - you dont want to have to educate your clients on how to use your website do ya? Ideally, it should be so easy that you dont have to explain it. PROS: -It works and will start using it now! CONS: -interface is not intuitive -no drag n drop upload of files -no support for ai, swf -no thumbnails of videos or other assets? Conceptshare.com seems to be more fluid in its approach, but it has its limitations as well. I recommend trying both - and seeing which works best for your needs. Now if someone could only mash them both together...UPDATE: Is FeedbackFX part of ReviewBasics? or is this video just made by the the same peeps that did their video?
Some Q/A from the website: http://learningtown.ning.com As we grow older (and hopefully wiser), I think that we come to understand the complexities - and appreciate the uniqueness of people. We want to label things and people, to be able to easily describe and communicate the association of a character or trait. I think that this is fine - in general. But you have to take the broad assertions in context. And that is where we mostly fail.
1. What do you see as substantial differences in how the Boomer generation learns from other generations? The tools being used, cultural environment, amount of people in classrooms, and newer technologies (may refer to tools).
2. Is there enough difference between those born 1946 to around 1955 and those born from 1955 through 1964 to warrant different discussions? I dont think so. I think its less about age groups, and more based around the environment of the learners (see above (tools, technology, etc.)).
What are the range of costs of producing a PodCast -- both internally and through an external vendor? First, I think that developing just for audio (a PodCast) is limiting your audience. If you develop for video (like youtube), you will have a greater opportunity for an audience, and more options as a medium. From that video, you can create a seperate audio file - and serve it up to users that want just that. Internal: $75 per hour (pc, webcam or mic $60, recording time, editing time (free editing apps are out there), review, changes, posting on server). (does not include user tracking). External: $200 per hour" _joinprompttext=""> What are the range of costs of producing a PodCast -- both internally and through an external vendor? First, I think that developing just for audio (a PodCast) is limiting your audience. If you develop for video (like youtube), you will have a greater opportunity for an audience, and more options as a medium. From that video, you can create a seperate audio file - and serve it up to users that want just that. Internal: $75 per hour (pc, webcam or mic $60, recording time, editing time (free editing apps are out there), review, changes, posting on server). (does not include user tracking). External: $200 per hour
What circumstances make a virtual world appropriate/beneficial to the learning space? Directly, where aspects of the environment is what your are trying to learn or understand. Preparing for a crisis, emergencies, or disasters... dealing with a garden(plants), animals(zoo)... creating a road, working in a nuclear plant, working in space, and more...
Why is Second Life always so empty? Because it is so involved (complex). Its not something that you can easily get in and out of like a phonecall. You have to prepare yourself to be immersed into the 3D world.
Do we, as a professional body subscribe to academic validation versus real life experience? I think both are valid - and have a place.
As to the question of "papers", you have to look at who controls the power. Just because a college or university give/require degrees, just furthers their business. A popular misconception is that they have the final say on whether a person is qualified.
As an employer, they want a fast route in the interview process to know that you are trustworthy. Hence "papers" from a college can help in this - but a good portfolio of work, in combo with many testimonials will work just as well.
As for small phones/PDAs? The market is still so new - but rapidly forming into groups. In creating for these, you have to look at the leaders (and new technologies) of the industry: Blackberry, Apples iPhone, and the (possibly this fall) Google Android. Consider the audience, portability, and future paths of that technology.
PS. I can only hope that all generations have the trait - the challenging of convention.
I have been questioning our current schooling system for some time - as well as the value of college (what is the real value for most people)? And this article has brought even more questions to the table. So I shared it with several friends to get their thoughts on it as well.
My friend Julie sent me a response: I wonder what percentage of generation z (is that what's next?) will want to (or be able to) read an article of this nature. Over 1400 words, man that guy is long winded. Just kidding. I like the idea of free education but I'm with the MIT grad that commented about the unquantifyable value of interacting with professors and peers, not only for the reasons that he mentioned, but also for the sense of "humanity" that interaction creates. Isolation creates ignorance, ignorance creates fear, and we all know where the path of fear leads. Having lived in rather varied environments, I can say first hand, that living in environments where you are forced to interact with individuals that are not like yourself (race, color, religion, sexual preference, etc.. ) imbues you with understanding, tolerance, and ultimately a greater sense of compassion. I am excited to see where technology can bring us as a species.. but I have my reservations. -Julie
I think we are finding - the more people that are on earth - the more our current systems seem to break down - or not work. Im not sure its solely because of the amount of people, or that society is also degrading as well. Either way, our current school systems probably have a shelf life of 10 years or less (my prediction) - so we need to be proactive in testing new systems - new ways of education. I dont think that 1 solution will work best for all - but we definitely need to develop many ways - because education is so much more important than how we deliver it. And now "Public Schools Expand Curriculum Online".
On a side note, I have had many thoughts - about whether or not technology is evil - or the workings of the devil (seriously). I havent really been able to formulate a meaningful opinion on this, but I do think on it from time to time. What I do know is that the internet is a tool, and can be used for good or evil. It kinda depends on the person(s) using/viewing/creating...
Do you know how to escape from the trunk of a car? In this game, your pessimism and/or terrifying life experiences can make you a winner! You’re given a worst-case scenario and three choices. You must pick the best choice. It's up to you to get out of your Worst-Case scenario. Give your best answer if you're right move on; if you're not, your situation only gets worse.
From the hair-raising (how to cross a piranha-infested river) to the humorous (how to scratch an itch in a cast), you’ll be challenged to overcome the outrageous and show off your survival instincts. And you’ll learn a lot of interesting information in the process! Comes with a game board, four playing pieces, 300 Worst-Case Scenario cards and one die. For 2 or more players.
I've just heard about the game this week - and we plan to get it. They also have more: handbook, dating & sex, life, extreme, travel... amazon.com and more facts about scenarios here.
Graphic Novels. Heard an good story on NPR about 3 very different people - that have done Graphic Novels. Even if you're not interested in that line of work - it seems like it would be a good test for your writing skills... Three Writers Feel the Lure of Comics
I just took the short quiz at http://profilefree.perfprog.com. Here are the results: OPTIMISTIC IMAGE-ORIENTED PRODUCER Greatest Potential Strength: High-energy multi-tasker produces many projects valued by others. Potential Blind Spot: Constant multi-tasking can lead to disorganization and indecision. When pressured can become distant, dismissive and alienate others.
WARM RELATIONSHIP BUILDER Greatest Potential Strength: Innate understanding of the feelings and needs of others. Potential Blind Spot: If feelings not reciprocated appropriately, can focus on personal shortcomings and withdraw. Can’t avoid negative feelings and becomes manipulative.
EMPATHETIC CONFLICT-AVOIDING DIPLOMAT Greatest Potential Strength: Use perception to “walk in the shoes” of others and understand their needs – make excellent facilitators to bring a group together. Potential Blind Spot: Can become lost in other people’s needs and ignore their own needs. Avoid negative feedback.
Tracy Gary sent me yet another opportunity to help others. http://www.freerice.com For each word that you get right this site donates 20 grains of rice through the UN World Food Program to help end hunger. We may not all have monies to send other countries, but we can give our brains some exercise while helping someone else at the same time.
Looking to rival the features of Keynote and PowerPoint, SlideRocket is a new web-based presentation tool. If you didnt get to signup for their private beta before it closed - just email me - and I will sendya my username and password. When SlideRocket launches publicly, there will be a free version for single users and two business versions that satisfy the needs of small and large corporations. Some features include: community clipart, import video & images from youtube/flickr, viewing stats. Via TechCrunch.com. Other links: 01 | 02
WorldVision.org - You can sponsor a child or you can give to a general need (clean water, medicine for kids, clothing for kids, etc.) - things we can take for granted every day in America. We picked children to sponsor that shared the same birthdays as our kids. Seemed to make it less random and also gave us a good idea of how old the kids are at any given time.
As my friend Robert Thompson put it... It is an organization that helps people in third world countries - not a loan but you can donate money. It is amazing to see what $75 or $100 can buy elsewhere. He is also a member of Kiva.org. "I spent more than $25 for breakfast for me and my wife last saturday - american dollars really make a huge difference in some of these other countries. We see $2000 as a new TV - They see $2000 as a way to buy more cows so they can feed their family or stop living in a house with a dirt floor. Im a member of Kiva.org and ONE.org.
A single photo can be reconstructed into a 3-D scene with Make3D (article). Very soon, we should be able to reconstruct, view, and explore the entire world(inside & out(potentially)) in 3D. And the kicker is - you could view the same locations over time - or time lapse? My question is, can Google make it searchable (changes to the environment with dates/times/related history)? So you take the Make3D concept, and combine it with Photosynth + (my previous blog article). And more: Born from Seadragon? Photosynth on PBS . More Wired Science videos.
(video is from CNBC Costa Rica 5-4-06) Ok, so the rumor is true. Joy, Candler and I are going to Costa Rica June 4th - August 12 2008. If we all like it down there, we may decide to try and live there. But before we can, there are many details to work out before we know if that is possible. Joy has given notice to her job, Candler will be out of school, and I hope to continue to work for NovoLogic.com from Costa Rica. We already have tickets and passports for our summer trip. The question on everyones mind is - Why? I have been, and its super friendly, just a 4 hour flight from ATL, and is beautiful. My question is, why wouldnt YOU want to move there? One persons personal experience.
This is allegedly an "actual leaked phone conversation" between a customer and Dell sales rep. That authenticity can be debated all you want, but I'm posting it anyways. Mostly because Roberto, the sales rep, calls the customer a little girl -- repeatedly -- because the dude backs out of a sale.
Google sites!. Of course you need admin access to a domain (like novologic.com) to run google apps on - to use it - video tour here.
Example pages:01 | 02 | 03 | 04 10MB file upload limit, 10GB storage - You can insert videos, docs, spreadsheets, presentations, photo slide shows, and calendars directly onto your Google Sites pages. Permission settings let you designate owners, viewers and collaborators (meaning they can edit pages) for your site. And you can make your Google Sites available to just a few people, your entire organization, or the world. VIA: Techcrunch
UPDATE: (still in BETA) The idea behind Kluster is that a group of passionate people working together can come up with better solutions for any decision-making problem than a single person. Whether that is planning an event, designing a new logo, or creating a new product, Kluster believes their system can work. The project you create is not private (may be a BETA change). Signup HERE. VIA: ReadWriteWeb
http://www.avvo.com Our mission is to help people navigate the complex and confusing legal industry. Choosing a lawyer is an incredibly important decision? Yet most people have no idea how to go about doing it. Avvo is guided by two basic principles: 1. Focus on the needs of regular people. Avvo was created specifically to help people who know very little about the law and may have no experience choosing a lawyer. 2. Provide information, as well as guidance. We believe that providing open access to information about lawyers, coupled with guidance on how to use that information, is the best way to help people choose the right lawyer.
We got a new Sony AVCHD video camera at the office - and the camera/video is fantastic! But the format is so new, it seems that only newer software/editing tools support it. Before you go out and get it, make sure you have the software to edit it! Could even be more than the camera itself!?! Here is some detailed info on AVCHD (Advanced Video Codec High Definition). The codec is now being used by Sony, Panasonic and Canon in their new HD cameras.
CoreAVC, a reasonably cheap($15?) and quick h.264 decoder for Windows, can decode AVCHD as well as a variety of other h.264 formats (info via doom9).
Some peeps are using this $30 converter for AVCHD (windows only).
Supposedly Mac supports AVCHD native with iLife 08 (via amazon). and FYI - the swiss army knife for Quicktime (Mac OS) is the Perian codec.
And in related news... 'DVD Jon' frees your media with DoubleTwist. *Much thanks to Jeff Gray and Michael McReynolds for info posted here.
We are officially using Google sites for some simple client sites. It allows the wiki access, super easy to setup, you can use Google Forms 01 | 02, use Google Moderator to Crowdsource Group Questions.
