Geekbert

2014-04-23T09:08:00.001-04:00

It's been almost a year and a half since my last post. Should I take this project back up? Perhaps I could incorporate it into what I now do at work?

It's a big commitment if I'm going to do it right. Curating worthwhile content to share, producing interesting video tutorials and well written articles takes time. I'm seriously thinking about it. I'll decide by this weekend.

Siri Kills at WWDC Opening

2012-06-12T12:04:00.000-04:00

I just caught the Opening Monologue from WWDC. It's pretty funny. Apple is so great at marketing. Marketing alone will get you started but you won't go anywhere if that's all you have. Combine great marketing with the kind of tireless innovation and level of quality they've become known for (e.g. the cooling fan in the redesigned MacBook Pro at 3:20 in on the video) and you get $574.80/share (incidentally, Google is at $564.87).

Well done again, Apple!

WWDC Did Not Disappoint - Major Apple Developments Announced

2012-06-11T17:04:00.001-04:00

Holy smokes, did Apple make some really exciting announcements. Even though there wasn't an Apple TV set in the mix, there was a lot to talk about.

Dave Peterson gives a great run down of all the hardware and software announcement over at Geekbeat.tv. Not least among them were some really incredible developments in the OS announcements. My two favorites were 1) dictation and AirPlay coming to OS X and 2) non-WiFi FaceTime and turn-by-turn directions coming to iOS.

There were so many new features announced, you should really check out Dave's review right now!

Apple Rumors: Apple TV and Other Juicy WWDC News

2012-06-11T12:21:00.002-04:00

Well, it's that day of the year where I sit eagerly hunched over my computer screen feverishly refreshing blog feeds to hear from those seated in Moscone West about Apple's latest strategies to get me to happily give them my hard earned money. Every year, in spite of my acute awareness that this strongly resembles the kind of addiction people traditionally seek help in conquering, I find that I have no desire to resist my compulsion to get my Apple fix. So here I am again.

Here are a few of the things I hope to hear about:

Mac OS X (10.8) Mountain Lion - There will be several significant new features introduced to the system that I have grown to love in my iOS devices. Some of my most anticipated are Reminders, Notification Center, and AirPlay Mirroring (love this feature on iOS!!!).

Apple TV - Ben Parr writes a great post about the potential and strategy behind possible developments with the Apple TV.

iOS 6 - My iPad and iPhone have just about become my primary computing devices. They are consistently my first screens. It stands to reason that this news will be highly anticipated out of the conference.

There are several other areas that we might learn about in Apple's ecosystem. PC World does a great job of summarizing the lay of the land here. Check it out if you also need a rumor fix before the actual news starts to roll in.

I have a meeting scheduled at 10 a.m. EST today... exactly the time the Keynote begins! If you happen to be reading this and will be in that meeting too, be assured that my constant distraction with my iPad screen is just me responding to an emergency email from a client that will prevent our entire project from being jeopardized. Honestly, that's what I'm doing. ;)

Apple Store Gets An Update Today!

2012-06-11T11:05:00.001-04:00

Hmmm... I wonder what new things they're posting on the Apple Store for me to buy!?

Google Docs Has Forms!

2012-05-11T10:34:00.000-04:00

Wow! How did I not know about this already? This will incredibly simplify the task of collecting data on the web. Try my sample form below:

<p>Loading...</p>

Power to the People: The Appeal of Social Media

2012-01-23T11:36:00.009-05:00

So I've been increasingly looked to in my workplace as the resident social media guru. It's true that I'm probably one of the biggest geeks in the office. It's also true that I tend to be an early adopter of social media tools. While I would never be called a prolific tweeter, my first tweet was on April 24, 2007. I tweeted 23 times that day. Needless to say, I didn't get it at that point. But then, who did? There was not much to get; it was less than a year old (invented in March '06 and launched in July). So I've been tweeting on and off for just under 5 years. Foursquare and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary this past January 5th. Who knows how long I've been on Facebook and MySpace. Wait, you may not have heard of MySpace. It was kind of like Facebook but... never mind. Actually, now with Timelines it’s easy for me to find out how long I’ve been on Facebook. Let’s see, May 19, 2007 was the day I joined Facebook. Whoa! I never realized that I’ve been on Twitter longer than Facebook. I always thought I remembered it being the other way around.

My point is, because I've always found social media fascinating, I keep up with what's going on in it. As a result, those around me who are much less aquatinted with the social media look to me for answers and direction when it comes to the topic. The truth is, I don't really like to use it as much as I like to understand how it works and how other people use it. As I was discussing some of the latest trends with an associate recently, I used an illustration that he found very helpful. In fact, he said that as a relative newcomer to the social media scene, he found the explanation somewhat comforting. We've both been tasked with strategizing ways to leverage social media for our clients and he is feeling a bit overwhelmed with trying to get a grip on the social media landscape and how one can use the plethora of services and tools out there to gain exposure.

So what's the analogy? Nothing profound really. I was making the point that social media is developing so rapidly that, as soon as you think you've grasped it, it has morphed into something slightly different. I was trying to let him know that he is not alone. I've been observing and using social media for about as long as it's been out (Mac or Palm user group bbs anyone?) and I still feel like I'm just keeping my head above water in my understanding of what tools are out there and what you can do with them. I explained that the social media user base is not like a long line with a few people and services who are at the front leading the way. It's more like a wide arch that is moving forward like a wave. If anyone says they're the expert, take it with a grain of salt. There are certainly thought and industry leaders but no one knows what the future holds.

I came across a great example of this on Friday. There’s a really great app idea from Chevy that was described on AdAge.com that is designed to engage viewers in a new way and lend some insight into how they use social media during the big game. It’s really a great idea; I wish my company had come up with it. Here’s the irony: The publication that sees the value in running this story has missed the boat on the priority of keeping up in the realm of social media themselves. The share button on that story offers the big three in priority position. Just as you’d expect, there’s Facebook, then Twitter, and then Google Buzz. What? At first I was impressed that they had Google in the “right” position. then I clicked the button and got this:

It wasn’t Google+ sharing like I expected. It was Google Buzz which no longer exists. Before I come off too self-righteous, I should hasten to say that I would not want to set up my company website as the example of cutting-edge use of social media. Not even close! I’m just noticing that even significant players in the space will find it challenging to keep up.

In fact, I’ve noticed that the larger the organization the more difficult it will be. Most of the leaders in social media are individuals and smaller, nimble companies. I think the advantage they have is more freedom and agility. There are fewer layers to go through when making decisions about how to use social media and changes in direction are far easier and less risky. It’s easier to pull a 180 on a Sea-Doo than on a Cruise Ship.

I think that’s what I find most exciting about the whole thing. I love that the weight of influence in media appears to be shifting from a few centralized powerhouses to a broad base of savvy individuals, small companies, and the consumer. It’s like the plot of every “over throw the empire” movie ever made. Who doesn’t love that?! I guess the empire probably doesn’t.

So what do you think? How do you use social media? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Will They Ever Learn?

2012-01-14T15:34:00.003-05:00

I've really about had it with online content providers who use Hulu as a distribution channel. I'm so frustrated that I posted several complaints on their comments page and found I was not alone... not even close. Here's my gripe:

The problem seems to be that the content providers are placing all kinds of silly restrictions on how Hulu can provide their content. Usually it's a matter of requiring me to go to my computer to watch rather than on my nice HD TV or my convenient iPad.

I don't understand why these content providers want me to stop watching their shows. Because that's exactly what I'm doing. For example, Psych: love it but don't watch it any more because they won't let me watch it WHERE and WHEN I want to. How's that help their revenue model?! Tried to watch the new Fringe today (it aired last night while I was out having a life) but I find that I have to have Dish TV to watch it the next day. Plain old HuluPlus subscribers like myself have to wait a week. Well, I'm not getting DishTV. I'm dropping Fringe. There's only one new show a month or so anyway. How's that help your revenue model, FOX?!!!

I believe that in this equation, I'm the customer (both of Hulu and the networks). I'd imagine that they are going to need to stop trying to force me to consume content the way they want me to and listen to how I want to consume it or they're going to eventually loose their customers.

What I really don't get is why they wouldn't want me to watch their content where ever and how ever often I want to. Wouldn't it be better for their advertisers if I could watch on all my devices as often as I want? They need to take a look at a guy like Leo Laporte and his TWIT network. There's a guy who looked at how people consume content and then built his revenue model in such a way as to generate maximum profit... in the real world that is rather than his dream world based on old ways of content distribution and regulation.

I've really about had it. I might just drop it all and increase my reading diet. I'd probably be better off in the long run.

What do you think? Will they ever get it? Will consumers buckle and revert back to arranging their lives by the network's schedule when there's something they want to watch? Not this consumer. How about you?
UPDATE: Apparently there's still hope for Hulu. I was pleasantly surprised this past week when I logged in on my iPad and discovered that Fringe is now available for viewing on mobile, and I didn't have to wait two weeks. It was available for viewing the day after air. NICE! Good job Hulu/FOX.

Goodbye Dot Mac (Part2): Good Riddance MobileMe!

2011-07-18T07:44:00.003-04:00

Boy am I glad I didn't let me MobileMe account die in April like I planned to. I would have very put off if I had and then heard the iCloud announcement a month later.

So, Steve, hows about a refund on my MobileMe renewal of $99 for this year since it will be converted to a free iCloud account about 6 months after I renewed it? After all these years, it only seems right. Think about it.

Goodbye Dot Mac

2010-09-22T14:56:00.006-04:00

Anyone who knows this geek knows that I'm a kool-aid drinkin' Apple fanatic. That's why it might surprise you to learn that I've decided to let my dot Mac account expire this year. I mean, just having the "@mac.com" at the end of my email address was worth the price of admission for many years (I'm aware of how sad that sounds). Here's my short explanation of why I decided to let it die.

Well, the main reason I was willing to pay for an email account every year was the extra I got with it. Initially, .mac web hosting and iDisk storage was the draw. Very quickly, I realized that ordinary hosting services were just as good or better as long as you know how to set them up and have the right software to use for website publishing. There was still the draw of online storage via iDisk that kept me renewing year after year.

Enter the iPhone. The "over-the-air" sync of calendars and contacts was definitely worth the $99/year all by itself. Now that I have that feature, I can't imagine doing business without it. Lucky for Apple too because I almost dropped my .mac (MobileMe...I hate the new name) last year after multiple serious iDisk issues but I needed to keep my iPhone's "over-the-air" sync. However, Last year, I bought a Dropbox Pro account and gave up on iDisk. It just doesn't work.

The last nail in my MobileMe's coffin was Google's incorporation of "over-the-air" sync between Google Calendar and iPhone. I've been watching my wife's use of it for over a month now and it works just like MobileMe but it's free.

Besides the emotional satisfaction I find in having "@mac.com" after my name in my email address, there's no reason for me to keep the service any longer. So when it expires in April 2011, I'll be without a .Mac account for the first time in, I think, over 7 years. I've held out for as long as I can. I've been reading people asking the same question for years..."Should I renew my .Mac?" I'm finally answering "no".

Swept Under the Rug

2009-11-14T08:47:00.008-05:00

If you're using Mac OS 10.6, you probably had a software update in the last day or so. Don't put it off. This one is really important. Did you notice the last item listed under the fixes included in this update?

Just a little issue. Some users who have a guest account enabled have experienced data loss when logging out of the guest account. Translation: it deletes your entire primary user folder!

As I understand it, it only affects a small percentage of users but it only takes one, me, to make it a huge issue. I'm surprised I never got a warning notice about this. Seems like it would merit one. Instead, I heard it on MacBreak Weekly and so knew what to avoid. I guess they at least acknowledge it in this update text instead the vague statement frequently given with updates about general bug fixes and enhancements. I guess they didn't totally sweep it under the rug.

They Just Don't Get It

2009-05-01T23:23:00.021-04:00

As I read this story in BusinessWeek tonight, I found it interesting how this writer presents the players on the online video stage like highlanders locked in epic battle for the hearts and minds of the online viewer (who we all know is not capable of regularly watching video from more than one source) - THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE!

He fails to recognize the niche each of these providers fills. YouTube's name says it all. It is a brave new world in which ordinary people with creative concepts (or many times, sufficiently strange concepts) can become celebrities without the sanction of a studio or being discovered by the powers that be. The powers that be in that world are more people just like you and me. Enough people watch and --POW!!!-- you're a star. YouTube is also a great place to interact with thousands of people on topics of common interest like religion, politics, or music just to name a few. You can exchange video responses or comments if you like the interaction or just sit back and watch and listen if you don't. It can also be a great place to spread the word about your cause or product.

Hulu, on the other hand, is a place where people can watch that episode of their favorite show that they missed this week because they've decided that people are more important than TV. Perhaps they took this new-found freedom from the network programming schedule formerly reserved for those who can afford digital cable and a DVR and they went to aunt bernice's 60th birthday party to show they care. Hulu is the perfect solution for these viewers; viewers who just so happen to be the same viewers who at other times are surfing YouTube. Hulu does have the potential to be the end of another media outlet but YouTube's not the one that should be worried. Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon along with any other local cable and dish TV providors are the ones who need to be concerned about Hulu. I'm almost at the point where I'm ready to cancel cable. Every show I watch regularly is available on Hulu. I don't watch many and I'm probably not the typical TV watcher; however, as its selections continue to grow, it won't be long before every cable customer's tastes will find satisfaction on Hulu.

As for Apple's iTunes rental model, neither of the previously mentioned services brings the majority of newly released movie rentals to your living room, ready for viewing at the click of your mouse for less than it would cost to get in the car and drive to blockbuster to rent your movie; not that I've done that since I discovered redbox...but that's an entirely different post. Apple's rental system has much room for improvement but it's just so easy to use that it still gets my business over the video store (though redbox is giving it a run for our money).

In other words, the BusinessWeek story seems to give a pretty flat view of online video. You have to recognize that YouTube has really created a whole new medium; it's not just online video. Hulu is the new cable. It's the online version of the cable box or satellite dish. And iTunes (perhaps along with other online rental services like Netflix or Amazon) has become the video rental store of online video. I recognize that my description of the online video landscape also runs the risk of over simplifying it but my point is that there is room for more than one online video source.

Eventually, each could grow and begin to cannibalize the other's territory but as it stands now, there is plenty of room for each to continue growing and doing what they do best. As one who views all three on a regular basis, I'd compare being faced with a choice of one over the other to a choice between MS Word, Quicken , or Outlook. They're all software but they have very distinct uses. I want all three. I predict that YouTube, Hulu, and iTunes rentals will peacefully co-exist for a long time to come. In technology chronology, "a long time" means at least a year or two.

Don't Get Kromked

2009-04-30T09:46:00.014-04:00

If you use Facebook, then you've probably gotten a direct message from a friend asking you to visit kromked.net. It should go without saying, but DON'T!

You should ALWAYS be suspicious of cryptic messages like this one. In fact, that's a good reason to not be cryptic in messages you send. Spell out what you mean when messaging your friends. In a day where we are being conditioned to communicate in 140 characters or less, this IS a message that bears repeating.

There's not much out there yet about this kromked spam but I did find a description of what happens if you click the link at www.islandcrisis.net. The author says that basically nothing happened, nothing obvious that is.

Even as a mac user, I am not going to let my curiosity get the best of me. It killed the cat, you know. Just say no to kromked.net.

UPDATE: Kurt from has www.islandcrisis.net has been posting updates about this and has proposed an interesting theory about what the scheme might be. Click on over for the update.

I WANT a DROBO!

2009-03-09T10:44:00.007-04:00

If you've never heard of DROBO, you should definitely read this. You can also win one at the Managing Your Digital Life blog. Here's why I want one:

My day to day workflow involves layout of a local paper I publish and ad design for the paper, web design for clients of the other half of my business, and web design and digital communications design work that I do for the church of which I am a member. Everything I do on a daily basis involves storing, retrieving, and incorporating digital media (primarily photos and graphics). It’s kind of like I have three jobs but it’s not as bad as it sounds since there is so much over lap.

I have two machines that I use every day. The older of the two is a 5 year old PowerBook G4 with an 80 GB hard drive (only 2.8 GB free). The newer machine is a 4 year old iMac G5 with a 160 GB drive (only 7.4 GB free). Both were large drives when I bought them. I’ve added a 500 GB external drive for backup and I also store vital files on my iDisk (when it’s working) as a backup of my backup.

How would I use a DROBO? After wiping the tears of joy from my face, I would immediately set it up as the central media storage device for my home office network so that I could free up the limited memory on each of my machines and have the peace of mind that knowing my livelihood is stored on a DROBO would bring!

Be sure to head over to the Managing Your Digital Life blog to find out more about DROBO and how you can win one!

An Open Letter to My Dad (and anyone else shopping for a new computer)

2009-01-25T23:42:00.004-05:00

I recently wrote a response to my dad who emailed me for advice on buying a new computer. Like so many others, he has asked me for this kind of advice before. The Cliff's Notes version of my advice is always, "Buy a Mac." What kills me is that almost every time, they don't listen to me and buy a cheap...uh...inexpensive Windows box. Why do they even ask me? They don't listen.

Well, this is my third attempt to convince him to get a Mac. Think about it. I still have the iMac I bought in 1999 (it's running OS 10.3). FULL DISCLOSURE: I also have a 4 year old iMac G5 and a 3 year old PowerBook G4 (both running Leopard). I have three so that I, my wife, and the kids can each have our own machines. He's shopping for a third because the first two were devoured by viruses, spamware, malware, adware, etc. They no longer function.

I thought I would post the advice I offered him for anyone else on the fence to read. Read on and choose wisely:

Dad,

The laptop has an older processor (not the Core 2 Duo) and it doesn't say what speed. That usually means it's not fast. If it were, they would highlight it. The desktop is the current standard chip set (Core 2 Duo) but it still doesn't say the speed. $399 is a nice low price but you know what they say, "You tend to get what you pay for."

If you really just need a low end machine with a solid warranty, it would be a good fit. It would probably work for you but you know me... standard disclaimer: you'll be happier and more satisfied with an iMac. It's loaded, has a 20" built-in display, and comes with a free printer all for $1,199.

I would also recommend a 1 GB RAM upgrade ($75), iWork ($49 pre-installed), and Apple Care 3 Year Warranty ($169). Fully decked out with all the extras I recommend, it would be $1,492. That's a lot more than $399 but you know what they say, "You tend to get what you pay for."

Even if you just go for the 20" iMac with a free printer for $1,199, you're getting security (the days of worrying about viruses, spyware, malware, Norton/McAfee updates is over), bigger hard drive, superior user experience, and tons of bundled software that you can't get for Windows.

Final paragraph of propaganda: The Dell will work. But think about this; how many Windows users do you know that really love their computers? "Tolerate" probably comes closer to the sentiment they have for their unattractive boxes (I'm a Mac snob, I know it). Now think about this; how many Mac users do you know that don't sound like they've joined a religious cult? I'm guessing Zero. To use a Mac is to love your Mac. Why is that? If you get one, you'll know. That's all I'm saying. :-)

Love ya,
Geekbert

Star Wars Plot Summary

2008-07-08T08:23:00.003-04:00

This has nothing to do with technology but, seeing that you and I are both geeks, I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as I did.

Born to Mediate

2008-02-12T18:53:00.000-05:00

I knew it! I took a "How geek are you?" survey and found that I'm 64% geek...almost half and half. My part-geek, part-average-joe composition has always made me a good translator but kept me from rising to the uber-geek status for which I have always strived (or is is striven?).

You can take the quiz too. Just click the badge. How geek are you?

64% Geek

Close, But No Cigar

2008-01-15T14:56:00.000-05:00

Well, I suggested that the MacBook Air might be a tablet style computer. I was wrong. It was just a really, really slim lightweight version of the current line. The features set sounds like a hybrid of the MacBook and MacBook Pro lines. You can check out one early description here.

I'd be interested in what you think. Is this something that has you wanting to run out and drop over two grand (w/ tax & Applecare)? I'd especially be interested in the opinion of geekbert's unofficial correspondent on the ground at MacWorld, JayDog. What's it like up close and personal?

I Can Feel It

2008-01-14T16:52:00.000-05:00

[Cue Phil Collins singing the Miami Vice theme] I've got that tingle on the back of my neck and butterflies in my stomach that I get every year before the MacWorld Keynote. Nothing will likely compare to the amount of excitement I experienced before last year's but this year is not so small either.

If you've been listening to the buzz leading up to tomorrow's address, you know that the hot rumor on the street is that Apple is about to release a sub-notebook to round off it's portable line up. I've heard some refer to it as a big iPhone without the phone. If you could imagine a laptop screen, split it down the middle from top to bottom and give it the kind of multi-touch interface you find on the iPhone but with the full featured version of OS X, then you've got the idea that is making the rounds on the rumor mill.

When you combine that with the new banner on the Apple home page and some of info that has been turning up (here and here) it seems like there is a pretty high probability that we're going to see Apple breaking some more new ground in the next few days.

I'm sure I'll be too antsy to wait for them to post the video, so I'll be surfing the Mac fan sites feverishly refreshing my browser again this year. If I have any energy left by the end of that silly exercise, I'll post a few reflections of the announcements. I know I have a serious dependancy issue. Anyone know how I can get a hold of the Michigan chapter of Macaholics Anonymous?

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-20T18:39:00.000-05:00

Wow! There are 30 iMacs involved in this little light show. Enjoy!

Sweet Dreams

2007-12-18T20:33:00.000-05:00

Ok. I understand. I've gone a little crazy with the videos. But they are good, right?

Look at it as me saving you the time it would take to go through all the junk on YouTube to find these gems for yourself. You're welcome.

Nice Try, PC.

2007-12-17T10:16:00.000-05:00

I came acfross this clip the other day. It looks like it was made for some sort of Apple developer's conference or something in house. Pretty funny. Enjoy!

You've Come A Long Way!

2007-12-16T08:22:00.000-05:00

This is dedicated to those of you in the northeastern US who are waiting out this cold wintery storm. Here's about 7 minutes of footage from the introduction of the original iMac. Enjoy the nostalgia and wonder at the fact that this was less than 10 years ago! Think about this clip when you hear Steve rave about the "massive storage" and "screaming speeds" of the current line. What will we see in the next 10 years? I can't wait to see.

Welcome to Grand Haven, Michigan

2007-12-15T09:32:00.000-05:00

This past summer, my wife and I took the kids to a little town right on Lake Michigan called Grand Haven. What a great decision that was. It was just a day trip but what a day! We spent the afternoon at the beach which was beautiful...and surprisingly not that crowded. We must have been there on an off week or just the right time of day.

Then we decided to go a few blocks into town to get something to eat. It was the coolest town. It had all kinds of cool little shops like you'd expect in a little tourist town. There were the ones with every novel toy you could think of, the "Michigan Souvenirs" shops, the clothing stores, and several places to eat. There was also a really great surf and skate shop. While one of my daughters and I priced a new deck and hardware for her, we struck up a conversation with the owner. I told him I noticed he had a new iMac on his counter and asked him if he was using it for his POS system (you didn't think this was really just a post about my vacation did you?). He said he used it for everything but POS. He tracked inventory and all his numbers and orders on it. We geeked out for a minute and then we were on our way.

After that, I began to notice iMacs in just about every shop we entered. Even the Pizza & Sub shop we ate in had one on the front counter where you give your order. I wanted to re-read the sign we passed entering the city. Did that say Grand Haven or Mac Heaven? It was like everyone had attended a Kool-Aid convention and been converted. And the people were all so nice. The prices were all bargains. I can't think of a negative thing to say about that perfect little town. Maybe my judgment is clouded a little, but I still think you should consider visiting Mac Heaven, er-I mean Grand Haven-at least once. I think you'll find it second only to Cupertino.

Free iPhone!

2007-11-30T11:27:00.000-05:00

My friends Cheryl and Scott won an iPhone in a Make-A-Wish foundation Raffle. I can't remember the last time I was so happy for and jealous of a person at the same time. Congratulations! I'd love to hear your review soon.