I am fortunate enough to live in a city that not only encourages all peoples to migrate here, but actually welcomes them.
My coworkers, partners, clients, neighbours and everyone around me comes from diverse and unique parts of the world. The best? Despite and amidst all the negative news –exaggerated or not- about corruption, wars, hunger, illnesses and such; we all live in peace here.
I just realized how privileged I am to raise a family in such a multicultural mosaic. There are days in which I hear more than 12 different languages being spoken by simply passing by a plaza or just dropping off or picking up kids at school.
This song is a beautiful thought about what’s important in terms of tolerance and acceptance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJxstoRocHc
Lyrics here:
http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858715833/
Have a great day!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Burning desires
One of my subs came to me asking me to please copy a CD-ROM for him. Nobody in his department knows how to do it and even he having access to two computers he does not dare trying.
The fact is that he knows I am the most senior IT-related person around, and also that my computer is the most powerful in the building.
It has been a while since I copied a CD-ROM; a few years ago I would do that constantly, and for that purpose I had a DVD drive as Origin and a DVD/CD burner as the main copier.
Now I only have one unit. I have not had the need to do anything similar in a while, and the fact that both CDs and DVDs are being quickly replaced by flash drives, USB devices, Internet High Speed connections, etc. Keeps me wondering whether Blu-Ray Disks will be the last type of rotating device we will ever touch.
I can’t wait to see what the new technologies will bring in terms of audio and video. How many HD movies and pre-recorded events will a device connected to the TV set contain, say 5 years from now?
Neither I know.
As I extract the quickly and newly burned CD from the tray, scribble the title with a permanent marker on its surface, and put it in and old empty sleeve; I can’t help but wonder how far we have come on this field within just a couple of decades.
Here’s to more and amazing surprises in the near and far future.
Cheers!
The fact is that he knows I am the most senior IT-related person around, and also that my computer is the most powerful in the building.
It has been a while since I copied a CD-ROM; a few years ago I would do that constantly, and for that purpose I had a DVD drive as Origin and a DVD/CD burner as the main copier.
Now I only have one unit. I have not had the need to do anything similar in a while, and the fact that both CDs and DVDs are being quickly replaced by flash drives, USB devices, Internet High Speed connections, etc. Keeps me wondering whether Blu-Ray Disks will be the last type of rotating device we will ever touch.
I can’t wait to see what the new technologies will bring in terms of audio and video. How many HD movies and pre-recorded events will a device connected to the TV set contain, say 5 years from now?
Neither I know.
As I extract the quickly and newly burned CD from the tray, scribble the title with a permanent marker on its surface, and put it in and old empty sleeve; I can’t help but wonder how far we have come on this field within just a couple of decades.
Here’s to more and amazing surprises in the near and far future.
Cheers!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Ubuntu and the Swine Flu
Ubuntu 9.04 was released last week. Good.
The main (only?) bug found so far has to do with the Adobe Flash Player not working in some systems.
After lots of forum contributing/checking, blogging about it, and trying installing and uninstalling packages, downloading latest Flash versions for different distros, reverting video drivers to earlier versions, etc… etc… Some guys already found the solution. Among them, in case you are reading this from a Linux x86 based putter: http://bugfixbug.wordpress.com/2009/04/25/ubuntu-flash-does-not-work/
(For a 64b system, simply uninstall: sudo apt-get remove swfdec-mozilla
And then reopen Firefox, let the system find and suggest to install the default player and voilá. It will work beautifully.)
Now back to the real world: Swine flu spreading quickly, mainly in North America.
Seems like the barrage of bad news will always override the good ones. No wonder Youtube and many other sites that provide “feel good” content are the most sought-after.
However, despite these news and all the other ones combined: economic downturn, hunger in Africa, extremists gaining ground…
Have you ever thought that we, the ones capable of being in front of a computer -perhaps even drinking coffee- are in fact, happy?
When was the last time you were hungry? Thirsty? Sick? Injured?
That’s right. I count my blessings, not my troubles.
Do you?
Cheers!
The main (only?) bug found so far has to do with the Adobe Flash Player not working in some systems.
After lots of forum contributing/checking, blogging about it, and trying installing and uninstalling packages, downloading latest Flash versions for different distros, reverting video drivers to earlier versions, etc… etc… Some guys already found the solution. Among them, in case you are reading this from a Linux x86 based putter: http://bugfixbug.wordpress.com/2009/04/25/ubuntu-flash-does-not-work/
(For a 64b system, simply uninstall: sudo apt-get remove swfdec-mozilla
And then reopen Firefox, let the system find and suggest to install the default player and voilá. It will work beautifully.)
Now back to the real world: Swine flu spreading quickly, mainly in North America.
Seems like the barrage of bad news will always override the good ones. No wonder Youtube and many other sites that provide “feel good” content are the most sought-after.
However, despite these news and all the other ones combined: economic downturn, hunger in Africa, extremists gaining ground…
Have you ever thought that we, the ones capable of being in front of a computer -perhaps even drinking coffee- are in fact, happy?
When was the last time you were hungry? Thirsty? Sick? Injured?
That’s right. I count my blessings, not my troubles.
Do you?
Cheers!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Getting "The Cloud
Microsoft is finally R&Ding, investing, and getting it on “the cloud.”
It’s a good thing. No matter how many years it took them to jump on the SAAS bandwagon, now most of what the populi is used to use, will be available through a browser.
It’s a good thing the mini-laptops debuted some months ago, that’s certainly a small push that helped the move gain momentum. Now that all HW is getting very affordable, and new versions more intuitive than previous OSs editions; we can swap Linux, MAC, and Windows computers without much hassle and be productive with any of those.
As it happens, M$ usually acquires companies that are spearheading a particular product or service and then applies its financial muscle and marketing expertise to make it the main or leading product in the marketplace. Expect MANY existing and new MS products running from ...ahem... Internet Explorer 8, or any recent browser.
Should we not follow this lead? My company, and many I worked before, still runs processes and systems that are very outdated. Not just the software systems, but the processes in acquiring and retaining clients are far from up to date. Many of such responsibilities and tasks rest on my shoulders, but without proper support from my fellow ‘mates I can’t make such changes alone.
We could easily eliminate tons of paper, electricity, and wasted time by simply starting a few changes that need to take place yesterday. For example, would you believe it is April 2009 and we still use a FAX machine!?
We do.
That particular device is my first target.
It’s a good thing. No matter how many years it took them to jump on the SAAS bandwagon, now most of what the populi is used to use, will be available through a browser.
It’s a good thing the mini-laptops debuted some months ago, that’s certainly a small push that helped the move gain momentum. Now that all HW is getting very affordable, and new versions more intuitive than previous OSs editions; we can swap Linux, MAC, and Windows computers without much hassle and be productive with any of those.
As it happens, M$ usually acquires companies that are spearheading a particular product or service and then applies its financial muscle and marketing expertise to make it the main or leading product in the marketplace. Expect MANY existing and new MS products running from ...ahem... Internet Explorer 8, or any recent browser.
Should we not follow this lead? My company, and many I worked before, still runs processes and systems that are very outdated. Not just the software systems, but the processes in acquiring and retaining clients are far from up to date. Many of such responsibilities and tasks rest on my shoulders, but without proper support from my fellow ‘mates I can’t make such changes alone.
We could easily eliminate tons of paper, electricity, and wasted time by simply starting a few changes that need to take place yesterday. For example, would you believe it is April 2009 and we still use a FAX machine!?
We do.
That particular device is my first target.
Friday, April 3, 2009
I’ve got a confession to make
Well, in reality I have lots of things I should confess. Just that I am scared to do.
Most of us have a few thoughts time and again about something wrong we did and keep thinking that it is better to continue hiding the truth because that way nobody will be affected. The thought that everything is fine the way it is somehow provides a false peace in which we immerse ourselves as in a public pool.
Like me, most of us think that it is alright to hide such things and not disclose them to the parties involved. Or better said, not disclose them to the parties not involved, but that somehow should be.
This is a mental and spiritual burden that is wearing us down, whether we notice it or not.
Don’t believe me? What keeps you up at night? Isn’t it related to those ‘secrets’? Good, you are leaving a legacy of goodness, honesty and integrity for your family and friends.
However, if it is... well, simply start unloading the sack. It is not that difficult. People you need to tell about it will be thankful; and you’ll sleep sounder.
Yes, I am not disclosing everything. Not right now. I mean, not everything at once: it is being done gradually and I’m starting with the simplest and easiest ones. With practice I will get better at facing those heavy demons that I’ve been carrying around.
Business related, although huge, are easy. Family... well, I’ll get there. I promise.
I hope you also feel lighter soon.
Most of us have a few thoughts time and again about something wrong we did and keep thinking that it is better to continue hiding the truth because that way nobody will be affected. The thought that everything is fine the way it is somehow provides a false peace in which we immerse ourselves as in a public pool.
Like me, most of us think that it is alright to hide such things and not disclose them to the parties involved. Or better said, not disclose them to the parties not involved, but that somehow should be.
This is a mental and spiritual burden that is wearing us down, whether we notice it or not.
Don’t believe me? What keeps you up at night? Isn’t it related to those ‘secrets’? Good, you are leaving a legacy of goodness, honesty and integrity for your family and friends.
However, if it is... well, simply start unloading the sack. It is not that difficult. People you need to tell about it will be thankful; and you’ll sleep sounder.
Yes, I am not disclosing everything. Not right now. I mean, not everything at once: it is being done gradually and I’m starting with the simplest and easiest ones. With practice I will get better at facing those heavy demons that I’ve been carrying around.
Business related, although huge, are easy. Family... well, I’ll get there. I promise.
I hope you also feel lighter soon.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Let go.
In many fields, but particularly in this field of ours, we know there’s new tools released very often. We do not know how to utilize them, but we also know they will be easier to use once we acquire them. It only makes sense, aside from the fact that said tools will certainly come with newer features and more capabilities.
However, we find ourselves constantly (dare I say daily?) maintaining very old systems and processes.
Lots of resources are put in place in order to make such gear work as we need it to be.
Lots of resources are put in place in order to make such gear work as we are used to.
Yet we know that we would save lots of money, time, and effort by simply replacing those old implementations with more modern equipment. However, we seem to have this fear to try new things that the very thought of having to learn something new is dreaded.
And then, when we finally decide and get the newest tool, we usually find ourselves saying: “how could I live/work/be without this?”
Exactly the same happens with the mental baggage we carry everywhere: old feelings, old ideas, unchecked to-do items, worries that should no longer exist because the situation that created those have disappeared or changed... etc.
Why can’t we update them, replace them, or simply let them go?
I have decided to make an inventory of such items. My goal is to reduce that warehouse to 10% or less of what it contains today. As it happens when we move, a myriad of things will be there just taking space; plain garbage most of the times.
I know it won’t happen overnight, but I also know by the end of the year I will keep only the things that really matter to me in the present time.
I will, simply, let go.
However, we find ourselves constantly (dare I say daily?) maintaining very old systems and processes.
Lots of resources are put in place in order to make such gear work as we need it to be.
Lots of resources are put in place in order to make such gear work as we are used to.
Yet we know that we would save lots of money, time, and effort by simply replacing those old implementations with more modern equipment. However, we seem to have this fear to try new things that the very thought of having to learn something new is dreaded.
And then, when we finally decide and get the newest tool, we usually find ourselves saying: “how could I live/work/be without this?”
Exactly the same happens with the mental baggage we carry everywhere: old feelings, old ideas, unchecked to-do items, worries that should no longer exist because the situation that created those have disappeared or changed... etc.
Why can’t we update them, replace them, or simply let them go?
I have decided to make an inventory of such items. My goal is to reduce that warehouse to 10% or less of what it contains today. As it happens when we move, a myriad of things will be there just taking space; plain garbage most of the times.
I know it won’t happen overnight, but I also know by the end of the year I will keep only the things that really matter to me in the present time.
I will, simply, let go.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Two ears as a prize
Did it ever occurred to you that the absolutely best trophy is not made of gold or similar, and might not carry a monetary value? that one the "matador" receives for abusing and slowly killing a bull:
Two ears. Although not usable, or maybe edible, he receives 2 ears.
Why is it so that many or our politicians and business decision makers do not get those? I'm pretty sure most would not understand the message; but a few that did would certainly start communicating better.
Ole!
Two ears. Although not usable, or maybe edible, he receives 2 ears.
Why is it so that many or our politicians and business decision makers do not get those? I'm pretty sure most would not understand the message; but a few that did would certainly start communicating better.
Ole!
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