Bill on IT

Pads, Tablets, and Netbooks

2010-01-28T08:17:00.002-06:00

With the recent announcement of the Apple iPad, I thought I might pen my opinion on the topic of tablets and other similar devices. From a developer’s perspective, I can’t see where I would use one. From a Joe-Consumer perspective, I would LOVE to have one. Just the thought of having a light-weight device I can take anywhere is very appealing. A device I can watch videos, read books and

Don't trip on your ego

2010-01-11T10:54:00.001-06:00

My last blog entry was about communication skills. A few people took the time to email me with comments which suggested communication skills were not important or were minor factors in contributing to successful teams. These assertions may be correct, to some degree. I have been on a number of very successful teams where some team members had tremendous difficulties communicating. In one

Soft Skills - Communication is critical

2010-01-08T09:42:00.002-06:00

The next few blog entries will focus more on soft skills, rather than with a specific technology topic. Having been in the field for a number of years as both a solution developer and manager, I have had the opportunity to work with a number of different people with just as many different personalities. For the next few installments, I am going to write about being a team player. In many

Not the Nexus for the rest of us

2010-01-06T08:06:00.002-06:00

My first real blog entry for 2010 will be about Google’s press conference regarding their new phone, the Nexus. For a little more than $500, you can own the newest, and coolest, phone on the market running the coolest mobile operating system on the market. Owners of this new phone will have a 1Ghz processor running the Android operating system and interfacing with some fancy accessories (

Starting 2010 on the blog

2010-01-04T08:29:00.001-06:00

As will all resolutions we try to make for the new year, many of them last only a few short months. Going to the gym, eating healthy food, and saving money are a few of the more common resolutions; however, one of mine will be to work on my blogs. It is my intention to keep with it and maintain a fairly updated collection of web sites. I have three blogs and one web site. The blog you are

Is the end near for the RIAA?

2008-01-03T07:48:00.000-06:00

I believe the recording industry, as we know it, is dieing. It is dieing because they refuse to change with the times. Like the old horse and buggy whip makers, they are in a line of business which is fading away. I also feel the recording artists are also clinging on to an old and outdated model and must either move-on, or move over.Why is the RIAA so hot about this? They are hot because they

Technology Predictions for 2008

2007-12-18T09:21:00.000-06:00

As many writers who concentrate on information technology will do at the end of the year; I, too, will prognosticate on what will be hot for 2008. In no particular order, here are ten of my predictions.1) Bandwidth changes will be coming. It would be easy to leave it at that, but I think the United States is on the verge of some major changes to the bandwidth infrastructure. I believe the largest

Google expected to bid on 700MHz

2007-11-30T13:17:00.000-06:00

Wireless IT World has recently published an article which sheds some more light onto the conundrum of Google’s interest in the 700 MHz spectrum.LinkThis paragraph is of interest to me...“Google has also supported efforts to push Congress to pass net neutrality requirements, which would prohibit broadband providers from blocking or slowing Web content not approved by them. Google's interest in the

More Google Phone Services

2007-10-18T07:43:00.000-05:00

If Goog411 and the talk of a GPhone were not enough, now comes GrandCentral. GrandCentral is a company who’s purpose is to create a single contact point for people to get in touch with you. When you subscribe to GrandCentral, you will be issued a phone number. This phone number becomes your single contact point.Here’s how it works… You keep all of the phone numbers you have, like your home

Google Phone service coming soon?

2007-10-09T06:21:00.000-05:00

The New York Times published an article about the possibilities of Google entering the wireless phone market. The angle they chose to take was about Google’s GPhone and Apple’s IPhone. While there may be enough speculation to warrant several paragraphs of news, I think the NYT completely missed the target.I believe Google has very little interest in Apple’s IPhone, other than partnering with

Welcome to Yellowville

2007-10-01T14:49:00.000-05:00

This morning I moved into my new cubicale, which is in a different building from where I used to sit. The accomodations here are less than desireable and provides me with a reminder of the down-sides of being a consultant. As a consultant, you are affored all the anemeties a full-time-emplyee would not want. In my case, I am in Yellowville because most employeess would rather not have a

Belleville Illinois Community

2007-09-27T09:32:00.000-05:00

I have created an Orkut community pertaining to the city of Belleville, Illinois. If you are interested in participating in this group, then feel free to sign up. If you have a gmail account, then I believe you should already have an Orkut account.Q:Why use Orkut when there are many other communities/forums on the Internet?A:Because Orkut is with Google and it is my hope Google will provide

A Venomous Tale - New video.

2007-09-26T07:59:00.000-05:00

As I have mentioned them in a previous posting, this group has an interesting sound, but an even more interesting approach to music distribution. It seems they are eliminating the middleman, the large record companies.Here is their latest video, let me know if you like it.A Venomous Tale - The Bastard Fairies

The Down-Side with the Big Guys

2007-09-26T06:53:00.000-05:00

In my previous postings, I have discussed the perks associated with traveling with a top-tier consulting firm. There are other advantages, besides reward points and per deim payments. One of these advantages is the exposure you will get to some of the worlds largest and most influential companies and the people who are running them. Above all, this is probably the largest and most overlooked

Google virtual world

2007-09-25T14:32:00.001-05:00

There have been some rumblings regarding the prospect of Google establishing a virtual world which will integrate Google Earth, Orkut, and some yet-to-be-identified product. Speculation has it that people will create a virtual entity of themselves (an avatar) and use some form of Google Earth to meet other people’s avatars. People will have another reason to sit at home and be dormant.

Google WiFi and Radio

2007-09-21T07:44:00.000-05:00

Google seems to be very interested in the 700-MHz radio spectrum auction by the FCC. Should Google bid, and win, they will then have the rights to establish wireless communication. As a technology consultant,I find this interesting because of a few other things Google is already working on, like the Google Wireless Phone. In case you did not know, Google has been developing a wireless phone

Bonus Items

2007-09-20T07:41:00.000-05:00

1) Once you have accumulated enough points, fly to an exotic location for a weekend get-away. Many times the firm will pay a portion of your air fare, which would be equivalent to the amount it would cost them to fly you home. Use your rental-car and hotel points for the weekend vacation.2) See if the hotel offers a kitchenette. Preparing your own food is an excellent way to save your per

More about the perks

2007-09-20T07:00:00.001-05:00

While I have explained the points and the perks, I have not yet gone into too much detail about the early retirement plan. In a moment, it will all come together; but, for now I still need to continue with the points.As I mentioned, you will start accumulating points for all of your travel necessities. In time, the accumulation of points will enable you to have very fancy vacations. For

Working for a top-tier consulting firm.

2007-09-19T08:54:00.000-05:00

In my previous blog entry, I suggested the global firms might not be a good as the middle-market firms. In terms of quality people, this I believe to be true. There are, however, some advantages to using a global, or top-tier, firm. The most significant advantage is the support structure behind each consultant. The big-boys go to great lengths to make sure each consultant receives continued

Working for a consulting firm

2007-09-18T08:17:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I had a conversation with someone regarding billing rates. Having worked for two middle-market consulting firms (Daugherty Business Solutions and G.A. Sullivan) and three top-tier firms(KPMG Peat Marwick, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Avanade) I am here to say the rate charged by the big guys may not necessarily mean you are receiving any-better quality from their consultants.So, what is

Back in the game

2007-09-14T13:20:00.000-05:00

After a long absence, I think I am going to try and get back into the game of writing to my blog. Since my last posting there has been much going on, both professionally and personally. On the personal side, little league baseball is over for the season and the Fink’s are ramping up for the fall season. On the professional side, I am still helping farmers all over the world grow better crops

Refreshing new group

2006-12-19T07:04:00.000-06:00

The other day I was perusing videos on YouTube and came across a young 8-year-old girl who was making a political statement. The irony of the situation was that I was very turned-off by the message, but intrigued with the music at the end.The music was from a group called “Bastard Fairies” and they have a very interesting sound. You can download their album, “Memento Mori,” from their web site at

One year ago...

2006-08-04T12:29:00.000-05:00

One year ago, I was starting my Chicago tour of duty on the failed Accenture project called AESM (Formerly called Razorback). This project was to become the turning point of my career. I am now working for a St. Louis based company consulting for St. Louis based clients. I have not set one foot on an airplane for almost one year and am working with cutting-edge technology.Technologies I am

My take on Net Neutrality

2006-06-21T11:04:00.000-05:00

I support the idea of Net Neutrality. The Internet, as we know it, was initially set up with this idea in mind. What many people do not realize is that the Internet is based on the concept of “Try to get your message across.” This has absolutely nothing to do with quality or speed. With the growing popularity of multimedia, quality AND speed do become an issue.Right now, the primary application

Will the PS3 be more than just for games?

2006-06-09T07:40:00.000-05:00

I found this comment from Sony’s CEO to be very interesting. It would seem Sony has some very big plans for the PS3 – more than just video games.President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Ken Kutaragi has commented on the concept that the PlayStation 3 is a computer, rather than a game console: "We believe that the PS3 will be the place where our users play games, watch films, browse the