5.20.2003

TabletPC: "Does Your Code Think In Ink?"

Yeah, baby! I have just been awarded the TabletPCDeveloper.com "Does Your Code Think In Ink?" Best PowerToy award for April. I wrote an app that lives in the system tray and allows the user to associate an inked letter with an executable. Rather than navigating the Start menu, the user can write the letter in the pop-up box and launch the associated app. Not mind-blowing, but useful and a cool demonstration of the features of the TabletPC SDK.

posted by Solution Junkie at 3:41 PM [permalink]

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5.15.2003

Open Source better than My Source?

I have become a fan of SourceForge. Yes, a Microsoft junkie can indeed be pro-open source. I am actually using a couple tools from SourceForge, including FileZilla (an FTP tool). Now that I am experimenting with Extreme Programming, I looked at SourceForge to get some unit testing frameworks and automated build tools.

What I found amazing was that SourceForge alone has over 1000 build tool projects currently under some stage of development. All of the projects that I clicked on had less than 10 registered developers. So what is open source getting us? Seems like everyone is still suffering from "not built here" syndrome and building there own. But instead of hiding out in their cubicle, they post the project on SourceForge and claim it's open source. Isn't the point of open source to build on each other's work? Are we really going to unseed Microsoft by working on 1000 different projects with 10 people each?

Anyway, those that are using SourceForge are certainly doing a much better job than those that are developing yet another build tool internally. People, it's been done a million times! If you don't want to buy one, go to SourceForge and help us all develop the ultimate tool. The same goes for bug trackers and automated testers. If I were a marketing guy, I'd end with "Join the revolution!", but I'm not.

posted by Solution Junkie at 5:55 PM [permalink]
rusgold.de

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4.23.2003

You can do anything, but not everything.

While I read FastCompany regularly, lately I am rarely excited by an article. Years ago, they were on the edge and I loved it. Now, they seem to be coasting a bit. BUT, today I read an article that almost satisfied my craving.

I received an email from FastCompany witht the following quote:

Much of the stress that people feel doesn't come from having too much to do. It comes from not finishing what they've started.

Hmm. That pretty much sums me up. As an overachiever, I am always looking for something to do, another way to contribute, a way to leave my mark. But rarely do I proceed from the beginning directly to the end in any reasonable amount of time. My "To Do" list is big not so much from my tendency to sign myself up for more, but from my tendency to leave these same items unfinished.
You can do anything, but not everything provided some explanation of my issue. The article is an interview with productivity guru David Allen. He draws from his interesting background of karate, philosophy, religion, and businessman to explain why we act this way and how we can break free. However, while he does a good job explaining the "why", he provides few answers for the "how". At the end of the article, he provides two lists. The first promises 11 ways to clean up your "to do" list and stay organized. Unfortunately, the first 10 items all say the same thing using 10 different lists. 10 lists! That's organized? Then Allen provides some ideas for those who travel frequently. One of those ideas is "If you travel with extra batteries for your laptop or cell-phone, put a rubber band around all charged batteries." Wow, that ought to save me more frustration than I can even comprehend.

posted by Solution Junkie at 10:50 AM [permalink]

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4.3.2003

Wired recognizes Blogdex

The May issue of Wired Magazine (not online yet, so no link available) lists Blogdex as one of the "7 wonders of the [MIT] Media Lab world." When I saw that the Cameron Marlow invention was listed with such a prominent title, I couldn't help but think that Blogdex, as cool as it is, can't be one of the top 7 innovations to come from such hallowed halls. But as I looked back over the list, blogdex does indeed seem worthy for the list. It's not that Blogdex is some super thing (although I am a fan), it's that the rest of the items on the list are really nothing special either.

Here is the list: Zero webdesign is een belgisch webdesign bureau.

1. Programmable bricks ("smart" Legos)
2. To-To Ma's hypercello (sensors in the instrument respond to tiny movements in the bow)
3. Wearable computers (vests and glasses with network access and processing power)
4. Being Digital (book by Media Lab founder Negroponte)
5. Structured audio (lead to MPEG-4)
6. Electronic ink (inklike film that's affected by electric charge)
7. Blogdex

OK, so MPEG-4 is pretty important and successful. And Being Digital is a good book referenced over and again as being influential. But other than that, how are these the greatest innovations form the Media Lab? No wonder it's struggling to raise money for the new building and is full of infighting. I guess I thought more of the lab than it deserved. But I hope it is more successful than these innovations lead me to believe. I know the people there are, like, wicked smaht.

posted by Solution Junkie at 5:21 PM [permalink]

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3.27.2003

Google as Sport

This is cool. Actually, I think it proves that the web-addicted are becoming a majority. A new book called Google Hacks discusses tips and techniques to get the most out of the world's "ultimate research tool". From advanced searching to building custom applications to Google Whacking, this book is truly for the reader with OC3 as a spine.

But the interesting fact is that this book is up to an Amazon.com sales rank of 58. To put that in perspective, let me list some books that Google Hacks is beating out:

• What should I do with my life?: recently discussed in Fast Company magazine.
• 7 Habits of Highly Successful People: Apparently everyone already has this book.
• A People's History of the United States: 1492 to Present : OK, this isn't so surprising. We don't know shit about our own history.
• Bush At War: Huh, huh, I said "bush".

So it does indeed seem that the web-addicted now outnumber the confused, the motivated, the educated, and the sexually frustrated.
posted by Solution Junkie at 11:28 AM [permalink]

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3.18.2003

New-age Bounty Hunters

BountyQuest presents "bounties" for information, typically patent information or proof of existence, for fees of $10,000 to $50,000. Companies enter the requests and provide the bounties and registered "bounty hunters" track down the information through patent searches, library combing, web sluething, etc. The service is used to defeat patent infringement cases, strengthen a patent application, and support valuations. Interesting idea. You could make some big bucks sitting on your couch if have just the right information or seaching skills.

posted by Solution Junkie at 10:46 PM [permalink]

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3.7.2003

Name in print

For those Microsoft-loving, web, technical-types out there, I have published another article on ASPToday.com. An ASP.NET Wizard Using User Controls, Typed DataSets, and Object Oriented Concepts describes how to build a simple but powerful wizard in ASP.NET. I built this wizard for Pepsi Bottling Group. Look for my company's (Shelflink) engagement with PBG to be profiled and case-studied on Microsoft.com and at the Microsoft Mobility Conference in New Orleans next week during Bill G's keynote.

posted by Solution Junkie at 10:43 AM [permalink]

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3.3.2003

Blogging in the Boston Globe

The Boston Globe publishes Blog publishers steal web limelight. Talks a bit about "word bursts" at Blogdex, some bloggers at Harvard, and a token mention of Dave Winer. Actually, now that I write this, the article is really nothing new and should be skipped. Sorry.

posted by Solution Junkie at 3:04 PM [permalink]

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2.10.2003

Open-Source a Different Beast

A Business 2.o article "Managing Open-Source" points out that open-source software follows some different rules than traditional shrink-wrapped applications. For example, the article points out that you should not use open-source just because it is cool, and development on open-source applications never really ends. And while we tend to think of open-source software as free, there are costs that must be considered, such as training.

posted by Solution Junkie at 9:29 AM [permalink]

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2.6.2003

Moving NASA Presentation

I received this NASA Presentation from a friend who works at Boeing on the International Space Station. This compilation of pictures and quotes, set to music, was circulated throughout NASA. It was developed the day after the Columbia accident.

The pictures are just incredible. The quotes come from a variety of sources and point out that the frontier is not only exciting, but it is where you have to work if you want to make incredible discoveries. Caution: the last page is a tear-jerker.

NASA is doing some incredible things for an "industry" that is only 40 years old. They must invent their own technology; their systems are the most complex ever created. And while it is certainly true that space travel has not made advances that have completely changed life on earth, they are making contributions to the areas of aviation safety, biotechnology, and weather and pollution.

Beyond that, space travel is a thing of dreams. So many children dream of being astronauts when they grow up (I still do). It encourages them to eat their broccoli, do their math homework, and read about heroes like John Glenn. It helps us believe that so much is possible. It encourages us to think big and tackle the difficult problems. We say things like, "If we can send a man to the moon, we can find a cure for cancer." And it contributes to our national pride. America is the authority on space travel; the stars & stripes are flying on the moon. We must go back to space, every chance we get.

posted by Solution Junkie at 11:13 PM [permalink]

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2.5.2003

Are you threatening me?

Microsoft warns of open source threat:

"To the extent the open-source model gains increasing market acceptance, sales of the company's products may decline, the company may have to reduce the prices it charges for its products, and revenues and operating margins may consequently decline," Microsoft said in a filing last week with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

So Microsoft is starting to feel the heat from the open source movement. Good. Prices will decrease; the gorilla will have to innovate.

But I don't understand why so many people think that the response to the threat from open source is for MS to go open source.

The pressure from the open-source movement is not just financial, as the availability of open-source software puts pressure on Microsoft to open up the code that underlies its own products.

Not everyone wants/needs open source. Just because it is gaining in popularity doesn't mean that closed software's days are numbered. Isn't it good to have a choice? Won't that serve the widest possible audience? I think it's a little early for MS to start following the "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" theory when it comes to open source.

BTW, I have recently become a happy user of open source software because of its innovative ideas and non-lowest-common-denominator approach. Sourceforge.net Chef recommends!

posted by Solution Junkie at 3:44 PM [permalink]

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Verb it

Disney in Deep Pooh Huh, huh... he said "enroned".

posted by Solution Junkie at 1:48 PM [permalink]

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2.4.2003

Not another UI deisgn article

While this article on UI design is far from, well, good, it does take the right approach. The author discusses that good UI design does not follow a formula, but must be approached with an understanding of the "concepts that will inspire them in the very process of UI design." Just skip to the good part on page 2 called "Some General Principles". Also, there is a decent list of related books and sites at the end of the article.

Thanks to Monsur. Check out his Bloglet tool, coming soon to a blog near you.

posted by Solution Junkie at 10:44 AM [permalink]

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Managing the managers

A great little article on builder.com discusses how to manage other managers. Especially in what the author refers to as "tactical" industries, managers are a different breed than the front-line folks. They have gotten to where they are by solving problems. So, don't solve the problems for them, but do be very clear about the goal. They'll be happy and you'll have more time to shtoop the secretary.

posted by Solution Junkie at 9:58 AM [permalink]

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2.3.2003

MSFT + AOL = Unlikely

Business Week Online asks AOL-Microsoft? As they point out, this is as logical as it is unlikely. One problem: Why would they even suggest that Microsoft's name would come AFTER the hyphen?

posted by Solution Junkie at 5:15 PM [permalink]

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The new voyeurism

Have you ever Googled someone? No, not that google; I mean this google.

Boston Globe Magazine talks about Google as the latest tool for A Nation of Voyeurs

Google has become essential research for everyone from sales people calling on new accounts to single people taking another spin with blind-date roulette.

posted by Solution Junkie at 4:56 PM [permalink]

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1.31.2003

Business Ethics and Worker Directors

Although "business ethics" was one day thought to be an oxymoron, it has come a long way. Now "business ethics" seem taboo!

How else can you explain the incredible number of ethical lapses? It must be that corporate leaders are reading their ethics book upside down. It's as if each CEO is trying to be more unethical than their peers. Maybe there is some underground competition, like cock fighting.

Business Ethics magazine covers the topic not by covering the news, but by discussing new ideas. An idea covered in this month's issue is "worker directors".

Compared to the conventionally selected boards at Enron and WorldCom, worker directors could have been far more effective -- and certainly would have been no worse. Does anyone imagine worker-directors would have voted for exorbitant executive pay packages, or to forgive millions of dollars in loans to corporate officers? If workers with knowledge about falsified accounting were looking for a place to turn, they might have found worker directors more approachable than faceless directors from out of town.

Now that's an idea. Include in the board some people that actually have a stake in the company. Most of the directors are only interested in exchaning trips to each other's country clubs. And the company executives get million dollar bonuses even if the company collapses. Ah, but the lowly employees, they need the job or they will have no way to get free office supplies for the new business they are starting.

posted by Solution Junkie at 11:32 AM [permalink]

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