At soccer practice. A good break on the day and suddenly I have more information than I can consume in the palm of my hand: news, dozens of email messages, weather updates, a few text messages, facebook notifications, etc. And the ability to browse the Web if I'm inclined to.
Long are the days in which I would take a newspaper and browse thru its pages trying to find anything attractive to read. Or waiting for the evening news hour in order to be updated on world developments.
Nowadays even teenagers can get (and create) news or simple posts without even the need to know how to spell words. Pix, movies, short sentences... Whatever they can get from their phones and PDAs can easily and quickly be on the Internet.
The good news too is that we can as easily filter the information to the one we only want to receive.
We are SO lucky to live at this pace...
...sorry, gotta go. New message notification.
C U l8r.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Sports and biz do not mix
Two months ago I attended a huge technology related event. The place contained more than 500 attendees, some very young, some others more mature.
At breakfast and lunch I looked for people I knew who shared the same interest I have. When I was unsuccessful in getting together with any of them I would look for an empty chair in a table with people my age or older. My intention to hear from them about industry trends and mainly business.
Much to my surprise, when trying to establish conversations about business strategies, modes, recent experiences and such; the topics would immediately switch to technical stuff of popular sports. I felt out of place when two or three of them started talking about the new guy(s) in the local team: names and last names were mentioned but none of those I'd recognize. I felt like an idiot when one of them asked my opinion about how the team would make this season; I felt blushing trying to answer a very simple question about something most of them knew about. I don't even remember my answer, just babbled about -as politely as I could- the unimportance of such topic to me.
They carried on, excluding me from the conversation from that point forward. I do not think any of them believed me when I pointed out there were way more important developments in our world than a sports team, whether local or not.
How is it that a “The Yankees won the series” headline is more attractive than knowing 700 people got their job back yesterday? Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy success at sports and arts, but it is enjoyable when I or a member of my family or even a friend, or someone I know personally wins. But a bunch of unknowns?
Come on! Let's go back to what is really important in this life, that's the first step to fix the mess we've dumped our world in.
What was the score? ...or maybe I should ask first: what was the sport?
At breakfast and lunch I looked for people I knew who shared the same interest I have. When I was unsuccessful in getting together with any of them I would look for an empty chair in a table with people my age or older. My intention to hear from them about industry trends and mainly business.
Much to my surprise, when trying to establish conversations about business strategies, modes, recent experiences and such; the topics would immediately switch to technical stuff of popular sports. I felt out of place when two or three of them started talking about the new guy(s) in the local team: names and last names were mentioned but none of those I'd recognize. I felt like an idiot when one of them asked my opinion about how the team would make this season; I felt blushing trying to answer a very simple question about something most of them knew about. I don't even remember my answer, just babbled about -as politely as I could- the unimportance of such topic to me.
They carried on, excluding me from the conversation from that point forward. I do not think any of them believed me when I pointed out there were way more important developments in our world than a sports team, whether local or not.
How is it that a “The Yankees won the series” headline is more attractive than knowing 700 people got their job back yesterday? Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy success at sports and arts, but it is enjoyable when I or a member of my family or even a friend, or someone I know personally wins. But a bunch of unknowns?
Come on! Let's go back to what is really important in this life, that's the first step to fix the mess we've dumped our world in.
What was the score? ...or maybe I should ask first: what was the sport?
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Ubuntu 9.10 and Open Office 3.1
My little netbook working like a charm. I love this combination of technology: a very affordable long-lasting battery device that does not require an OS license neither an expensive Office product. It is even more powerful that a full fledged desktop system 5 years ago, at a less than 20% the price. All works, sound, video, wireless, and printing. What a wonderful machine.
My only wish is I could type faster on such a tiny keyboard; aside from that I could not be happier.
I am certain nascent companies that start using these elements and don't look back or to the sides to see what everybody else is using will be as competitive as any other organization utilizing commercial products. There is practically no difference now on the basic office applications and the way we use the Internet and email have become easier and more intuitive now. In a matter of a few years we will be able to open files created in a different platform without noticing any differences. THAT is the best thing about all this affordability and Open Source initiatives.
Thank you GNUses. You really did see the future long time ago.
Cheers!
My only wish is I could type faster on such a tiny keyboard; aside from that I could not be happier.
I am certain nascent companies that start using these elements and don't look back or to the sides to see what everybody else is using will be as competitive as any other organization utilizing commercial products. There is practically no difference now on the basic office applications and the way we use the Internet and email have become easier and more intuitive now. In a matter of a few years we will be able to open files created in a different platform without noticing any differences. THAT is the best thing about all this affordability and Open Source initiatives.
Thank you GNUses. You really did see the future long time ago.
Cheers!
Friday, November 6, 2009
Of secondary priorities
Strange how we tend to put thing in inverse order sometimes. We work like 19th century donkeys and some times more hours than what a healthy environment should be.
We answer the phone and/or reply to EM messages on our PDA even when we are supposed to be enjoying the game or watching our kids do a new trick.
Which begs the question: shouldn't we focus more on family 1st and work 2nd? What is it that forces us to check the screen at the slightest vibration or ring?
Sounding like a broken record, I've learned that work will be waiting for me every time. No matter how little or how much I accomplish today, tomorrow will be full of to do lists and new2 tasks too.
I am trying to focus more on enjoying my family yet again. I'm wishing me luck.
We answer the phone and/or reply to EM messages on our PDA even when we are supposed to be enjoying the game or watching our kids do a new trick.
Which begs the question: shouldn't we focus more on family 1st and work 2nd? What is it that forces us to check the screen at the slightest vibration or ring?
Sounding like a broken record, I've learned that work will be waiting for me every time. No matter how little or how much I accomplish today, tomorrow will be full of to do lists and new2 tasks too.
I am trying to focus more on enjoying my family yet again. I'm wishing me luck.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Stoic enterprises
It might seem like the R season is finally over. The victims of such couple of years we all know about will become just a memory in a few years.
However, as of today there are more SMEs wounded than we know. They are never mentioned in the news but only as a collective number on statistical presentations way after the fact. Some of them have presented a strong, fierce and very honourable fight. They’ve withstood their ground for most of the storm.
It is until now that the inflicted wounds start to become unbearable, the strength has waned and they are about to fall, or close their eyes never to open again.
I’ve seen a few of such warrior SMEs play the entire game with a drive to win right up to the final whistle. What a lesson.
I salute you all, great captains. Your members will disband perhaps but they know the quality of your leadership now. They will be back at first call, whichever boat you happen to get now.
Thanks for the active lecture, the inspiring show and the great relationship we made. I will be back too, just let me know you are ready to sail again.
With the uttermost respect and admiration,
However, as of today there are more SMEs wounded than we know. They are never mentioned in the news but only as a collective number on statistical presentations way after the fact. Some of them have presented a strong, fierce and very honourable fight. They’ve withstood their ground for most of the storm.
It is until now that the inflicted wounds start to become unbearable, the strength has waned and they are about to fall, or close their eyes never to open again.
I’ve seen a few of such warrior SMEs play the entire game with a drive to win right up to the final whistle. What a lesson.
I salute you all, great captains. Your members will disband perhaps but they know the quality of your leadership now. They will be back at first call, whichever boat you happen to get now.
Thanks for the active lecture, the inspiring show and the great relationship we made. I will be back too, just let me know you are ready to sail again.
With the uttermost respect and admiration,
Monday, November 2, 2009
Where are all the sales people?
Trying to establish a new partnership for a week now: they have been very slow to respond.
Not a surprise most of the times, but for some coincidental reason it is right now that we need to be able to provide some clients with the type of technology and products this particular partnership would make.
Strange: when you can offer good solutions to most clients, they seem not to need anything. Now that we can’t supply the specific products, most are demanding it.
Kindda Murphy’s law. Isn’t it?
Oh! Well...
Still waiting for the phone to ring or the email pop-up to appear.
Not a surprise most of the times, but for some coincidental reason it is right now that we need to be able to provide some clients with the type of technology and products this particular partnership would make.
Strange: when you can offer good solutions to most clients, they seem not to need anything. Now that we can’t supply the specific products, most are demanding it.
Kindda Murphy’s law. Isn’t it?
Oh! Well...
Still waiting for the phone to ring or the email pop-up to appear.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Of long breaks and others
For how long can you hold your breath under water?
I felt as if I was doing just that, only this case I was not writing instead of not breathing. Kind of purposely, I did not do it partly because of business and partly to focus on reading what others in the field of IT were saying.
Well, there have been many developments happening, the Windows Seven launch and parties; new and more intrusive worms in the wild; more and more new companies offering cloud services, the list is endless and each time longer.
Praise for W7 has been the central topic for most. Although I have been using it for roughly a month now, I still have a wishing list that I suspect will take many months to be entirely checked off.
While it is true that W7 is better than its predecessors, the fact is that Vista should have been 2 years ago what W7 is now. Period.
There are so many topics to retake. I’ll start with something that ends in a “9.10”
What has kindda gone under the radar is Ubuntu. Putting aside the long times for downloading the image file (only when you do it on the launch date), the fact is that it is a breeze to install and use now. My Netbook is a Dell mini with only 4 GB HD, therefore the need for a small footprint OS, and one that simply works.
From the moment I created the USB bootable flash drive to the minute I declared my lil machine ready to start using it was just 86 minutes. Except –in my case- for a glitch that forces you to reinstall the wireless “proprietary” drivers; everything else went smooth. Easy wizard, quick process, nice graphics, … it comes with Open Office 3.1, Firefox 3.5, Evolution email... it's just great. Even adding a network printer is so quick, i.e. a newer HP p1505n is listed among hundreds of other brands and models, and works like a charm.
So, have you had enough already on W7 praise and critics? Check everything Linux, you won't be disappointed this time.
Promise.
I felt as if I was doing just that, only this case I was not writing instead of not breathing. Kind of purposely, I did not do it partly because of business and partly to focus on reading what others in the field of IT were saying.
Well, there have been many developments happening, the Windows Seven launch and parties; new and more intrusive worms in the wild; more and more new companies offering cloud services, the list is endless and each time longer.
Praise for W7 has been the central topic for most. Although I have been using it for roughly a month now, I still have a wishing list that I suspect will take many months to be entirely checked off.
While it is true that W7 is better than its predecessors, the fact is that Vista should have been 2 years ago what W7 is now. Period.
There are so many topics to retake. I’ll start with something that ends in a “9.10”
What has kindda gone under the radar is Ubuntu. Putting aside the long times for downloading the image file (only when you do it on the launch date), the fact is that it is a breeze to install and use now. My Netbook is a Dell mini with only 4 GB HD, therefore the need for a small footprint OS, and one that simply works.
From the moment I created the USB bootable flash drive to the minute I declared my lil machine ready to start using it was just 86 minutes. Except –in my case- for a glitch that forces you to reinstall the wireless “proprietary” drivers; everything else went smooth. Easy wizard, quick process, nice graphics, … it comes with Open Office 3.1, Firefox 3.5, Evolution email... it's just great. Even adding a network printer is so quick, i.e. a newer HP p1505n is listed among hundreds of other brands and models, and works like a charm.
So, have you had enough already on W7 praise and critics? Check everything Linux, you won't be disappointed this time.
Promise.
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