Luddite Lounge

iPhone - Can you hear past the Buzz?

2007-01-18T15:48:00.000-05:00

Now that all the excitement around the iPhone has begun to subside, I thought I would toss out a few observations that may be counter intuitive to the marketing Buzz.

Being a former crackberry addict, I'm not sure of the value of talking on a device that you need to access to type notes, access phone#'s when someone calls looking for another persons # etc.

While the addition of music is a great combination for phones or Pda's on an individual basis, the value of combining all three on one platform eludes me.

Skype Wifi has finally arrived...

2006-12-08T16:01:00.000-05:00

Well...It has been just over a year since I initially mused about the potential to combine skype and wifi... Finally it has arrived but, the landscape is shifting so that those who were holding out for free phone calls are likely only going to see slightly less expensive calls as the carriers in North America get concerned about the impact of VOIP on their long distance cash cow.

iPod - The downfall of communication...Discuss!

2006-10-24T15:48:00.000-04:00

Ever take a moment to observe the number of people walking in a group, driving in a car and listening to an iPod?

These tend to be activities that used to be done in the company of others. Now with the prevalence of MP3 players there is a shift in communication dynamics - people are not sharing the same experience even if they're in the same physical space.

I'm pretty sure that the introduction of the original walkman was a god send for parents driving their kids around but, the relatively short battery life of a cassette player made it nearly impossible to go too long without joining in the conversation.

Price of Packets...

2006-10-02T09:58:00.000-04:00

With the price of broadband pretty much an unmetered commodity, the introduction of WiMax to the marketplace will present an interesting challenge for Carriers.

North American carriers are poised to make billion dollar bets on WiMax, the problem is, the broad market for "packets" tends to be price sensitive and, once the early adopters are in, growth will likely flat line and the ability to charge a premium will shrink. Which begs the question, will WiMax lead to the bust of many carriers?

Those carriers who are betting on new wireless technology to boost their revenue streams would do well to look at the real value that expanded access brings to the mass market.

One need look no further than RIM to see that wireless is great if you need time sensitive information but, look at ESPN's foray into Mobile Television
to see that just because something is technically possible, does not make it a good business.

The High Cost of New Technology

2006-09-18T20:30:00.000-04:00

A recent article in the news details how the family of an 82 year old widow discovered that she had been leasing her rotary dial phone from the Phone company since the 1960's.

This example may not fly in today's world but, the lesson here is essentially the same.

Over the years, this woman paid approximately $14,000.00 for her black rotary dial phone. Her lease payments essentially kept her up todate with the technology that worked for her.

The take away here is, most people are constantly searching for the newest gear instead of being content with something that does the job at a low cost. So...next time you want to upgrade your Cell Phone, think about the Old lady who got ripped off by the phone company.

Ottawa Venture Captial...Less than stellar returns

2006-08-29T08:23:00.000-04:00

A recent report in The Ottawa Business Journal regarding VC's exiting Quake technologies in an $80 million dollar deal.

The trouble with the reportage is the OBJ failed to indicate that investors poured about $65 million into the company between 2000 and 2001 resulting in a estimated return of about 22% not bad if it were a yearly return but, when divided over the last 5 years it amounts to a less than impressive 4.5% per annum.

While 4.5% would make most people happy if it were in a Guaranteed Investment Certificate, Venture Capital is anything but guaranteed. This deal gives insight into the state of Venture Capital in Canada, in that, it is being touted as a success. The reality is technology investors have taken a severe hit and are feeling lucky to get there money out rather than write off the whole thing.

Presentation Tools For the Masses

2006-07-21T12:30:00.000-04:00

I was looking for a tool that would allow me to do a presentation for a client in another city.

I'm not interested in the old standby RealVNC or it's derivitive, showmypc although it is a viable tool...just not the right one.

Things like Webex are great but, I figured that there must be an AJAX alternative.

Sure enough, a tool called Zohoshow fits the bill.

Not only that, there are a number of other cool tools from Zoho that will make your business run smoother.

Wireless Overhead...No Real Value

2006-06-02T10:41:00.000-04:00

This Blog was started Primarily as a rant against some technology that I worked on in the past. Online video (Just like Google Video) and a variety of wireless applications.

Recently I read an article about some "Great New" mobile software for museums (we did this almost 4 years ago)and it dawned on me, all the hype that surrounds mobile museum technology does not get paying customers in the door.

Yes, it may add to their experience (if they are not frustrated by bad UI)but exhibits need to be physical in order to get people in the door. Otherwise, they can access the information online, and forget about visiting in the first place.

Things like cybermuse.gallery.ca are a fantastic outreach program to the broader community but are no substitute for the real thing.

Infact, public institutions that adopt a mobile electronic strategy need to carefully consider the added overhead that comes with increased information technology.

There are cost savings to be had, the challenge is in unlocking those savings rather than falling for the flash sales pitch.

Diminising Marginal Utility of Search Engines

2006-03-07T14:25:00.000-05:00

In these days of "SEO" and Google stock trading at a P/E north of 70, there needs to be some reflection as to what the web was, and what people want it to be.

A recent posting on Slashdot had me thinking about the good old days when a google search would yield meaningful information on the topic in question. As we have moved into an advertising driven search world, the number of Splogs with top search engine rankings has increased, while the relevance of these results has diminished.

If you think of it in terms of traditional media like Television or Magazines, there needs to be a balance between content and ads. The situtation as I see it is like the old TV ad with the old lady yelling "WHERE'S THE BEEF?"

There are far too many crappy sites getting top ranking because they're designed to generate ad revenue rather than inform. What is particularily concerning is you can click through layers of sites loaded with ads before you hit anyone with real content.

I'm sure that Yahoo and Google can come up with a way to weed through top ranking sites who are little more than a front for ads.

In the end, it will serve to increase the value of those paid searches that frame the "natural results" and provide users a valuable resource once again.

Skype and Google Take a Run at Wifi Voip

2006-02-17T14:16:00.000-05:00

Back in November, I made a post about Wifi+Voip+PDA's, the gist of it beeing that there are a number of other components that need to be put in place in order for wifi voip to be taken seriously.

Well, a recent announcement by Skype and Google, may give Wifi Voip the legs it needs to take a serious run at the cell phone companies.

With the two comanies investing in Fon Technology, out of Spain, the two companies are making a small wager that wifi sharing and voip will take off like wild fire.

Essentially, Fon is wireless peer-to-peer network infrastructure that provides consumers the opportunity to share their broadband connection for the benefit of the broader community.

If you want to read more, there are links to several articles here.

How to Save Over $30,000.00 without Tivo

2006-02-17T12:09:00.000-05:00

Ever wonder how much your subscription really costs?

Article points to tools that will calculate your savings and offer alternatives to save money.

read more | digg story

Google Desktop Could Turn Your Files Over To Government

2006-02-10T08:40:00.000-05:00

As technology development at Google progresses with the introduction of Google Desktop, the Electronic Frontier Foundation warns that your personal files could be subject to search by Government or private litigants.

Essentially, Desktop indexes files on your omputer and stores them on Googles servers. Not a bad idea except that it lowers the hurdle for Government or private litigants to get access to your files. This, combined with the risk of a hijacked google account and there is very little incentive to turn your private information over to a third party unless privacy rights are enhanced.

Verizon Bites the Hand that Feeds it

2006-02-08T09:10:00.000-05:00

In a Recent Washington Post article a senior VP at Verizon outlines his companies position that there should be additional charges for the delivery of internet content.

He claims that companies like Google, and Yahoo are profiting from the network that companies like his, and AT have built. According to John Thorne "The network builders are spending a fortune constructing and
maintaining the networks that Google intends to ride on with nothing
but cheap servers. It is enjoying a free lunch that should, by any rational account, be the lunch of the facilities providers."

EXCUSE ME but, as Vincent Cerf from Google points out content suppliers and end users allready pay to access this network. What is disturbing is that Carriers now feel that they are missing out on some of the revenue and are trying to reach out and grab more money after their services have been delivered according to valid contracts.

While Google and Yahoo are obvious targets because they host an ever growing number of Blogs (including this one) and personal web space tools. Millions of small sites like RambleWeb that are independently hosted outside of the US could theoretically be getting a bill from broadband carries who deliver this content to their customers.

If one were to look beyond the corporate extortion, this initiative will prove totally un-workable as servers are located all over the world.

From the Frivilous Patent Department

2006-01-30T13:44:00.000-05:00

Boeing Corporation has been granted Patent number 6,990,338 Mobile Wireless Local Area Network and Related Methods. The heart of the patent revolves around putting a WLAN on a "Mobile Platform" with multiple cell areas spaced apart within the interior of said, platform.

In simple terms this means that they have been granted a Patent on placing a WLAN in an airplane. Now the question one has to ask is, will the term "mobile platform" be translated to mean train or bus too. After all, Greyhound may be on the hook if they offer internet on buses because it too is a Mobile Platform.

The picture that is being painted here is that, anyone who adapts existing technology to their venue could soon be in line for royalty cheques. One would think that the NTP v. RIM suit would make the patent office think twice about granting protection to processes that leverage existing technology.

Ramblings on Digg Spy

2006-01-23T21:15:00.000-05:00

So.../. is out...Digg is in. Well... the newest flavor at Digg; Digg Spy sucks.

Digg Spy gives you a real time look into the rankings that are going on at Dig...and it may also give you a seizure as you try to watch, as the article listings are constantly in motion.

This illustrates admitedly neat little piece of eye candy illustrates the problem I have with Digg...yes it is new..but it is ever moving at a pace that one cannot realistically follow. Digg, and now Digg Spy typify the challenge facing media in the internet age; less can be more and more is too much.

With the advent of Digg, geek media stalwards Slashdot are being sniped with comments that it was posted on Digg first. The reality is, depth of commentary on Digg is lacking in comparison to the discourse at Slashdot.

Do Search Engines Diminish Value of Web Content?

2006-01-19T16:27:00.000-05:00

There is an interesting dynamic between search engines and content owners that may have a huge impact on how content is promoted and consumed in the future.

One of the challenges facing content owners comes from search engines who lure visitors with your companies information and links, and present your potential customers with the paid advertisements of your competitors.

As Jakob Neilson points out, the key is to Liberate your website from the vagaries of search engine optimization and provide potential customers with other ways to find out about your site and provide a compelling reason to come back.

One of the most interesting tools percolating are Social Bookmarking sites that let you publicly share and comment your favorite websites. While del.icio.us is one of the first implementations of social bookmarking, it lacks privacy settings that are available from others like Rambleweb.

Other techniques used to avoid the Search engines are on product URL's hardwired links (iTunes/iPod) RSS News Feeds and old standby's like email news letters, and affiliate programs.

The bottom line is, new sites and established companies alike, need to cut through the search engines in order to gain market share.

Peer2Peer Bandwidth to Improve ResidentialBroadband Speed

2006-01-16T14:14:00.000-05:00

An article in the New York Times talks about new wifi technology that creates a wireless mesh between users so that bandwidth can be shared and download speeds improved by up to 10 times.

This raises some interesting questions when it comes to implementing such a network and indeed how the equipment is sold.

While positioned as a piece of equipment that could reduce the need for network upgrades at the ISP, it is being sold as a consumer product. The fact that these mesh nodes require others to also install the equipment in order to share the load, creates a huge challenge when it comes to marketing. Not only does Mushroom Networks or website have to sell a piece of networking equipment to a consumer, for it to work, they need to find other customers within range of another node.

Unlike wifi routers where users can leech bandwidth, Mushroom and WiBoost need multiple customers within wifi range to deliver the promised benefits.

What happens if your peered neighbor moves...$200-300 spent on hardware is no longer useful.

The Future of Yellow Pages?

2006-01-09T13:38:00.000-05:00

With the wide availability of telephone directory services on the web, and improved functionality provided by Google Local Services, what is the future of your familiar yellow pages book?

Personally, most of my queries that would have been searched in the Yellow Pages 10 years ago, are now better researched on the web.

Besides holding up the corner of the sofa, is there a future for the print form of Yellow Pages?

Automated Remote Backup Services for Business

2006-01-09T13:31:00.000-05:00

A recent press announcement by N-able Technologies, underscores the vulnerabilities that face many small businesses.
After recently installing a new hard drive, that is about 15 times larger than the previous drive it has become clear that there is a significant risk 
of data loss on a grand scale in the event of a catastrophic hardrive failure. Even if religiously backed up, the large size and low cost exposes many 
to an increased risk in the event of data loss. Services that provide automated data backup are a great start but, proper hardware maintenance and data archiving will
save many hours of anguish that would result from hard drive failure.

Will Breadcumbs Lead the way to Ambient Findability?

2006-01-08T22:07:00.000-05:00

After reading the First Blog posting by Tim Berners Lee, a couple of things hit me like a ton of bricks. At first I thought it rather odd that the man who essentially invented the World Wide Web may have under estimated the impact of his invention.

His comments indicate that his original view of the web was that of a two way communications platform rather than a "Content Distribution" network pushing information to consumers. This has obvious significance for those pushing the concept of "Web 2.0" however, the reality is Web 2.0 has always existed for those with the technical skills and inclination to actively administer content on their websites.

leads to the obvious observation that Blogs, Wikis and CMS will greatly lower the value of the traditional web master and empower users like never before.

Free Cellphone Wallpaper Images

2006-01-04T09:11:00.000-05:00

Interested in jazzing up your cellphone but not interested in paying the $$ to download or more importantly, you want to carry your own pics? Check out CellWallpaper.Blogspot.com It is a simple service that allows you to choose a picture from the site and convert it to cellwallpater and send it to your phone by sms or download it via WAP. It is a mashup of great applications like Flickr, Blogger and Pix2fone which allows you to convert pics to a size that will fit on the phone. From there...simply alt-left click on an image and it guides you to send yourself an sms and voila, you recieve a message that you can link to and download to your phone (depending on the carrier).

If you own a website with great pictures, Pix2fone has a great tool for you. With the addition of some simple javascript, your visitors will be able to simply press "Alt" and click on an image and initiate the process to send your image to their phone.

Try it out with my favorite frosty pic on the left.

Free WiFi Banned By Officials at Boston's Logan Airport

2006-01-02T18:57:00.000-05:00

If the FCC rules in favor of airport officials, it will set a precedent to allow any building owner to ban Free WiFi offered by tenants. Spread the word. We can't let building owners create WiFi monopolies for their own financial benefit.
Boston Airport Officials
http://www.massport.com/sitemap/contact.asp
FCC
http://www.fcc.gov/contacts.html

read more | digg story

Dell Recalls 22,000 note book Computer Batteries

2005-12-16T13:03:00.000-05:00

Product Recall Central Reports that Dell is recalling laptop batteries due to a problem with over heating. The batteries have the potential to cause damage during normal use so, Dell will Replace them free of charge.

read more | digg story

What is Trusted Computing?

2005-12-15T03:15:00.000-05:00

The Trusted Computer Plaform Alliance appears to be gaining strength in the US under the false premise of homeland security and anti terroism protection.

What the Trusted Computer Platform Alliance is attempting to do is ensure that all software conforms to their standard, effectively shutting out small players and Open Source development initiatives. While it may address piracy issues, the reality is it strips away consumers rights to run free and open software on their computer and limits the ability of applications to share information accross applications.

Generally, it is a bad idea to restrict your customers rights in the way they use the product they have purchased, and the ability of each computer to track and match applications and data, in the name of security is over stepping the bounds of the relationship I want to have with my hardware or software vendor.

This article reminds me of the book 1984. The scariest part of this is that it's completely possible. Please read this if you're at all interested in your rights.

read more | digg story

Domesticated Tornados to Solve Looming Energy Crisis

2005-12-15T02:56:00.000-05:00

Chalk this one up to quack science...I only hope there is no Government money going after this brilliant Idea.

From a country where Tornados are rare, a Canadian inventor has a plan to solve the energy supply crisis by harnessing the energy of tornados.

read more | digg story