The name comes from the British slang “lie doggo”, which means to keep out of site; a definition that is at the core of Doggo’s design. Derek and his team have bent the rules on some of the known limitations of technology to make Doggo appear as though a TV and a remote are all it takes to make this product run. In fact, a well designed server is tucked out of the way making the magic happen over 150 feet away.

Doing it Doggo Style

This is really what most consumers want. They don’t care how it works or how much RAM the rig has. They just want it to work and without a lot of hoop jumping or expense. This has been the goal of the Doggo team from day one: create the best in home automation, security, multimedia and file storage while being both cost effective and easy to use. I’ve really got to say, it looks like they’ve done a damn good job.

So what exactly is Doggo? It’s probably easier to define what it isn’t:

• Doggo isn’t proprietary software designed to work exclusively with proprietary hardware. It’s a flexible system designed to handle all types of known (and yet to be developed) home automation and entertainment technology.
• Doggo isn’t an expensive piece of hard to use technology. It’s been designed (as Derek put it) so that even his Dad could figure it out and enjoy using it. It’s also got a proposed price tag way below the inferior HTPC/automation products currently on the market.
• Doggo isn’t something that works fine at first but then starts getting sluggish and crashes frequently the more you use it. In fact, Doggo can’t be broken. Let’s say your kid gets a hold of the remote and wreaks havoc on the Doggo interface. Click the home button 3 times and it resets itself back to the factory settings without ditching important customizations or files. It also self heals. When a program doesn’t launch correctly, Doggo recognizes the error and creates a fix for it so it won’t happen the next time.

How is all this possible? Magic. I’m not going to divulge any of the secrets Derek shared with me about how Doggo works. It’s pure genius though and the best part is that he’s not showcasing any of this technology to the consumer. He’s hiding it and removing the unnecessary crap that makes existing HTPC/automation products hard to use. He’s simplifying the interface and making it intuitive. You don’t get to see how it works. It just does and it’s so freaking easy.

This weekend, I realized the home of the near future won’t have a PC sitting in a corner of the house, surrounded by bills and connected to a  mess of cables behind a designated computer desk. It will be seamlessly integrated into our homes with the rest of our entertainment and security systems. One interface controlling everything.

We’ll soon be able to  turn off the lights with same remote we use to change the channel on the TV. We’ll be able to simultaneously update Facebook while also watching the evening news on the same screen. Our house will “know” when we come home and unlock the door for us using presence sensing technology. We can tell our house to go to sleep and various programmed actions will lock doors, close windows, turn of lights… you name it.

Towards the end of the open house, it was as if a light bulb had gone off for everyone and ideas about what we could do with Doggo in our house just started popping out all over the room. Derek just kept nodding his head and saying yes, because it was all possible. I’m excited about these possibilities and I’ve barely scratched the surface on Doggo’s capabilities. Doggo is still in development but will ready within a few short months for the consumer market.

I’ll be keeping you up to date on new developments, but be sure to swing by DoggoHouse.com and read more about it.

Let’s Talk About It

• Would you want Doggo in your house?
• If you had Doggo in your house, what would you do with it?
• What “possibilities” can you dream up?

• The Fate of Google Buzz is Sealed
• No More Break/Fix
• Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

If you need any technical help in the future, let me make a few recommendations:

1. Do NOT go to the Geek Squad. They are overpriced and mostly hire kids straight out of high school with an A+ Certification at best. That’s not to say that the employees don’t know what they’re doing or won’t do a good job. They do and they will but they only see a fraction of the price you’re going to pay for repair and you’ll pay way more than they’re worth.
2. Ask around. More often than not, there is a someone you know who does this kind of work for a living and could use the extra cash. They will also typically charge about half as much as retail repair shops like Geek Squad or CompUSA. Check out Craigslist or mention that you need some work done within your circle of friends. Trust me, someone knows a nerd that needs some work.
3. Do NOT expect free service or advice just because it’s a family member or friend.  One of the things I’m really looking forward to putting behind me is the near constant onslaught of people wanting me to fix their computers for free! Really? You’d gladly pay a stranger but expect me to do it for free because we’ve spent Thanksgiving together? I really don’t mind helping people out unless it’s expected. Just keep in mind that this kind of work takes talent and time and both of those are worth something. I’m a big fan of the bartered lunch, a bag of my favorite candy, or homemade cookies, but that’s me.  The point is to show appreciation beyond a thank you.
4. Stop being a cheap skate. It just may be time to buy a new computer. Don’t hand off your 10 year Compaq Presario to a technician and expect a miracle. The average computer life span is between 3-5 years. Most manufacturers won’t even offer a warranty past 3 years because they know it’s bad business. Computers aren’t built to last forever. So if you’re having problems, maybe it’s because it’s time to invest in a new rig.

So that’s it. I’m pulling the plug. If you’d like some work done on your website or need a new logo or graphic work then shoot me an email.

Thanks everyone!

• 3 Rules of Web Design, Pt 1 – #bcn2009
• Have Kanye Interrupt Your Site

Then a bunch of nerds got up this morning and started twitching (Twitter bitching (or acute muscle spasms)) that Google Buzz was stupid and they weren’t convinced it was going to be anything special.

Some even said it was doomed for failure.

How could they possibly know that? It has been out less than a day and only available to a small number of users and they’ve already solidified the fate of Buzz? Give me a break!

So why do some people already HATE Google Buzz?

The simple answer is that they are already firmly rooted in their social network happy places and don’t want to see anything or anyone crap on their Utopia.

Many self-proclaimed social media gurus often ask unnecessary questions like, “What’s the next Twitter or Facebook?”  Or, “What does the future of social networking look like?” They try to stay ahead of what hasn’t even happened yet (yeah, wtf? I know!) because they get some sort of validation from it. However, when something comes along that could really set the stage for the future of social networking they immediately balk at it.

Actually, let’s broaden that statement and tell it like it is: When ANYTHING NEW comes along they immediately take a dump on it.

Has anyone else noticed this trend? Or am I just a wild optimist and think everything new is grand? Apparently, in order to be Web 2.0 savvy or a social media rock star, you have to annihilate any and every new idea with a negative tweet or blog post. I’m not saying let’s commit to love at first sight (or site, as the case may be), but I’d love to know why everything has to be seen as a negative straight out of the gate.

Here are a few examples of  tweets from the Twitosphere (it literally pains me to type that) regarding Google Buzz:

• Much a buzz about nothing – Why Google Buzz will fail. http://ow.ly/15V2R (via @grahamjones)
• Feeling curmudgeonly because I just want email to be email, I don’t want it to “buzz”. (via @jspad)
• Yo Google Buzz, I’m really happy for you and I’mma let you finish, but Twitter is one of best social networks of all time. (via @nickellis)
• Beginning to think that Google Buzz is just more noise added to the mix. (via @shindz)

Now that was just a quick sampling, but it represents the majority of what all of these die hard twits are saying about Buzz.

Look, I’m on Twitter (@willsloan) and I like it for what it is. It has a specific purpose and use; just as Facebook, Four Square, YouTube and others do. They are all individual tools with individual purposes in the realm of social networking. You don’t hammer a screw in. You find the right tool for the job and use it for what it was designed for. This is why I get all pissy when people try to compare Twitter to Facebook. Apples to oranges. Cake to ice cream.  Stop. Comparing. Them.

Here is why Google Buzz is significant and, yes, innovative. They have taken their own version of these individual tools and placed them all in the same toolbox. Whoa! Before you stop reading this and go directly to the comment box to strike up an argument — I am keenly aware that you can connect Facebook with Twitter with YouTube with FriendFeed with Tumbr with living tissue (well, not yet but soon), etc. and so on. BUT (intentionally big but) you are still using individual accounts on individual sites. Not to mention what a pain in the nads it is to set some of these connections up. Let’s also not forget maintaining them. Barf.

I log in with my one and only (and very much loved) Google account and I have access to all of these features in one place with minimal setup and minimal maintenance. By the way, want to follow me on buzz? Click here! Not to mention the impressive array of Google apps that already exist and could soon be integrated into Buzz. My mind is wild with the possibilities here.

Graham Jones (Internet Psychologist, Internet Consultant, Author, Speaker, Broadcaster, Internet Blowhard) blogged, “[Google Buzz] is no more than an ‘integrator’.” Wait a sec. You think this is a negative aspect, Graham? Really? Can someone explain to my why integration is bad? Integration is attractive, my friends. I like having all of my eggs in one basket. So do you, you big nay-saying liar! Your Twitter account is connected to all of your other social networking sites for the purpose of convenience, brought to you by… integration. Graham, you’re an Internet Psychologist (?) not an Internet Psychic. Stop gazing into your crystal balls.

Graham also puked up this gem, “Don’t judge the likely success of Google Buzz on the technophiles,” claiming that the only people who use Gmail currently “are online geeks who just love using the technology.” What an asshole. You can reach him at graham.jones@gmail.com – okay, not really… or maybe.

Is Google Buzz the Twitter/Facebook/Four Square killer? Who knows? But let’s freaking give it a chance to contend properly with the big boys before we go writing it off!

I think there is some serious promise in what Google is offering. I’m admittedly a Google Fanboy. I love what they do and how they do it and I will give Buzz the chance it deserves before blasting its suckage on Facebook and Twitter.

Let’s also keep in mind, as they stated at the press conference yesterday, that Buzz is still in it’s infancy and is going to continue being developed based on user feedback. Do you really think Facebook was built in a day? So let’s take some of that negative static and turn it into constructive criticism for the developers. Why don’t you help them out instead of looking like giant elitist asses? Hmmm? I’ve already noted quite a few things that would improve it, but that doesn’t mean I hate it.

UPDATE: My friend and fellow blogger, Brett Milner, wrote up a great article for any of you Google Apps users. A whole different problem. Same outcome.

Now it’s your turn. Go ahead. Let me have it. I won’t censor you.

Let’s talk about it!

• What are your thoughts on Buzz?
• How do you think this will impact the social network scene?
• Could it threaten the social network Goliaths?

• Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
• My 3 Fave Super Bowl XLIV Ads
• Unfriend Now Has Official Word Status

Here are my top 3 favorite commercials of Super Bowl XLIV…

Number 3: The Kia Sorento Ad

This ad was hilarious. I think what really sealed it for me was the sock monkey tattoo. What do you think? Whoa! Was that the Snuggle Bear getting fresh in the hot tub with that chick?

Number 2: The Doritos Samurai Ad

I loved everything about this ad. Especially the ending… I need a Samurai costume made of Doritos. It commands fear and respect.

Number 1: The Google “Parisian Love” Ad

This commercial had it all. As pro-blogger Chris Brogan put it via Twitter, “The Google ad was absolutely perfect. Illustrative, told a story, demonstrated features, and maintained simplicity.” Plus, it made a personal connection. Great job, Google!

So there are my top 3 favorites! What were yours and why? Let me know below… let’s get the discussion going!

• The Fate of Google Buzz is Sealed
• Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

The nominees for the 2010 Academy Awards were announced today and I’m ecstatic. It’s an awesome lineup this year, largely in part to the Academy’s decision to double the Best Picture category from 5 to 10 nominees to create diversity. It’s definitely a diverse category now with a little something represented from each of the the major categories.

One of the more interesting stories this year involves my favorite movie of last year, Avatar, and it’s impressive contender The Hurt Locker; both up for 9 nominations, including Best Picture and (more importantly) Best Director. Why is this such a big deal? Kathryn Bigelow, director of The Hurt Locker, just happens to also be the ex-wife of Avatar director James Cameron. Fortunately, they are on very good terms and are probably both cheering for each other (while secretly casting the ballot for themselves).

Now, I’m not going to make any predictions. I suck at that but I have an opinion so I’m going to lay out my picks for the nominees I think should win. I’m also only going to cover the categories I’m really interested in. I’m not a sound junkie or costume fanatic, so I’ll stick to what matters to me.

Before we get started, if you haven’t seen the entire list of nominees, go check them out at the 2010 Oscars official website.

Best Picture: Avatar
	If you know me, then this is hardly a shocker. I walked out of the theater in awe. My initial reaction was, “I hate that movie.” Not because it sucked but because it was intensely gratifying for me. So much so that it may have ruined cinema for me until the day I die. I will hug James Cameron if we ever meet. I may also weep openly.
Actor in a Leading Role: George Clooney – Up in the Air
	This was one of those difficult picks for me, but when it boils down to what entertained and impressed me the most I have to give this one to Clooney for his role in Up in the Air. Clooney plays an emotionally disconnected guy named Ryan Bingham who makes his living firing people, which Clooney nailed. Good times.
Actor in a Supporting Role: Christoph Waltz – Inglourious Basterds
	Oh my god! If you haven’t seen Christoph Waltz’s role as creepy, sinister Nazi Col. Landa in Tarantino’s Inglorious Basterds then you are dumb. I’m going to be really surprised if he does not get the win. He’s already grabbed the Globe for this role so let’s just keep the awards and accolades coming his way!
Actress in a Leading Role: Gabourey Sidibe – Precious
	I honestly have not seen this from beginning to end, but what I did see was mind blowing. Gabourey Sidibe plays the title character, Precious, a pregnant teenager who struggles to overcome years of abuse at the hands of her parents. This has to be one of the most intense roles in the category.
Actress in a Supporting Role: Penélope Cruz – Nine
	I haven’t even seen this movie yet, but the previews… whew! I think she spends the entire movie wearing skimpy lingerie. Why would she not win this?! My wife’s favorite line from the movie, “I’ll be waiting for you, with my legs open.” Yeah, that was Penélope’s line. Yeah.
Animated Feature Film: Coraline
	This was fantastic movie! I’ve always been a fan of this particular style of animation, with it’s Tim Burton-esque sense of imagination. It was an incredibly fun movie to sit down and watch with our daughter. It did make me a little leery of dolls with buttons for eyes though. Screw Pixar! I’m sick of them getting all the damn awards.
Cinematography: Inglorious Basterds
	Quentin Tarantino. He’s like a cinematography god. His unique shooting style and eye for perspective were blazing in his latest movie. Literally. One of the best scenes shows an art house style theater going up in flames while heroine Shosanna delivers a death notice on the big screen to a packed house full of Nazi’s. It is nothing short of brilliant.
Directing: Avatar
	To all the critics out there who idiotically argue, “What’s there to direct? It’s all CG!” Shut. Up. You obviously have no idea how a movie like Avatar is produced. If anything, having to direct a cast of actors wearing motion capture spandex outfits would make the task even that much more difficult. Avatar FTW!!

So those are my picks. What are yours? Hit me up in the comment box below and let’s talk about it.

• The Fate of Google Buzz is Sealed
• No More Break/Fix
• Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

You can see the full album here or on Facebook. Not a friend yet? What’s the hold up? Friend me now!

• Why I DON’T Want to Be Like Chris Brogan
• Wait, Work Can Be Fun?
• The Blogger’s Balance

Check out 3 Minute’s to Live on the web at http://3mtl.com and help them raise donations for the Not For Sale Campaign. 100% of the proceeds from their new single Stolen goes straight to the Tennessee chapter of Not For Sale, a non-profit organization which strives to end human trafficking.

• Nashville Metal Band Takes Stand Against Human Trafficking
• Facebook to the Rescue

We’re are actively seeking sponsorship for The Robot & Will Show. We need equipment that will allow us to be more productive and put out our videos in a more timely, efficient, and recurrent manner. In exchange for your financial contribution we will feature you on our show, credit you frequently throughout episodes, and link back to you on this site as well as our YouTube channel, Twitter, and Facebook. We will promote the hell out of your business or personal brand.

If you are interested in helping us get what we need to continue doing what we love please email me at will@willsloan.com and we can work out the details.

• The Fate of Google Buzz is Sealed
• No More Break/Fix
• Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

When my brother, Robert (aka Robot), decided to start making vids for YouTube, we really hadn’t considered anything other than how much fun it would be.

We didn’t think about the time it would take to shoot a video then edit, upload, and promote it. We didn’t consider the planning that goes on behind the scenes, like the script writing and scheduling time with business owners for interviews. We never thought that our cameras weren’t optimal for shooting videos for the web. We didn’t think of consent and release waivers so we wouldn’t get sued by the people we filmed.

We literally jumped into this ass first and we’re finding that the rewarding (fun) aspect is in constant competition with the hard work that we put into it.

Yesterday, we uploaded our first official episode of The Robot & Will Show to our YouTube channel. Within a short amount of time I received a message from YouTube stating that Paramount had flagged our vid because it contained footage that was their legal property. I read over it thoroughly and then smacked my forehead. How had this escaped me?

It’s obvious that we’re not making a profit on the video and we’re promoting one of their movies as a top ten most anticipated movie of 2010 but, legally, none of that matters. Legally, I’m breaking the law by using the copyrighted footage without permission by the owner. Legally, I’m a dumbass.

I’m writing this for any fellow YouTube nubes out there so you can learn from our mistakes. No, Paramount hasn’t sued us (yet) and YouTube hasn’t taken the video down either. The only consequences up until now are that the video cannot be embedded to other sites (like this one) and that it is banned in certain countries.

Small potatoes I’d say, for a massive blunder, but it’s a lesson learned and that’s what counts. We reshot our episode two after learning from the mistakes of episode one and I’m looking forward to finding the groove – the perfect balance between work and play.

So what’s your experience with YouTube? Have you found your groove. Be sure to share the URL of your YouTube channel in the comment box below (if you’ve got one) and I’ll swing by and subscribe, rate, and comment!

• Building a Community (Video)

I’ve been using Google Voice for about a month now and it’s seriously the bee’s knees; fully loaded with an impressive array of features that make telecommunications a much different experience altogether for me. I do, however,  have to keep in mind that it’s still in development because there are a few quirks and bugs in the works, but not one of them are as much fun as the voicemail transcription feature.

In theory, when someone leaves you a voicemail, Google Voice transcribes it so you can then read it via email or SMS text message. The problem is that the software behind it has a hard time translating everything properly due to many possible factors. Some people talk too fast or don’t enunciate clearly or maybe the quality of the call itself is bad. Under perfect circumstances the feature may work flawlessly, but it’s the flaws that I absolutely love.

Here are few examples of transcriptions that just really didn’t work out:

“Well at least you’re not battling aliens are really in front of your send more. At least you could be thankful for that. That would really suck around the holidays. Gimme a car that you know he Christmas cookies and renegade not when you’re you know blasted away at it and then a lease or something. It would be a little annoying. So when you get a chance…”

“Hey, I’m sitting on the front, Hello, this is a center. I will call. Gimme a call. There…”

“IN the correct that’ll to do the trick going on. Okay dude that videos. Best, gimme a call. See you…”

“Many could use our Morgan your voicemail message. Hey it’s meet one whatever you’d like when you want to get together for like going to make it for the people of streets. Gimme a call. Talk to you later. Bye…”

“I think you can. The quality of my work is gone down not work. Responding to or something. Anyway, I just called for a will fix but I guess you’re you’re up to one. Judith the kids or your throw one salami at the Y phone. Woo has allowed. Anyway, I’ll talk to you soon…”

When you rate a transcript, you will be asked whether you would like to donate the message to improve the service.

No worries though, Google has this problem under control (of course). On December 10th, the Google Voice blog announced a ratings-based feedback option. At the bottom of each message is a question: Transcription useful? After checking yes or no you are then asked if they can use the message to improve the service. I oblige when feasible but I’m hoping they don’t improve it too much. I need the laughs.

My wife did however point out that this feature would offer no benefit whatsoever to the hearing impaired at present. It would only confuse the hell out of them so I will forfeit the laughs for their sake I suppose.

Google always does great work (I’m a BIG fan) and I’m definitely not complaining. Just having a laugh. If you have some hilarious Google Voice transcripts gone bad please share them in the comments section below! You may have also noticed that I have added a Call Me feature in the sidebar to the right, which is powered by Google Voice. Give it a test drive.

While we’re on the subject, are you currently using Google Voice? If so, what has your experience been like so far? What improvements would you make?

To learn more about Google Voice go to http://www.google.com/googlevoice. Currently, sign ups are by invitation only. The best way to get an invite? Ask for one on Twitter, Facebook, or Craigslist.

For more transcriptions gone bad and to submit your own, check out the Google Voice Fail blog at http://gvoicefail.tumblr.com

• The Fate of Google Buzz is Sealed
• No More Break/Fix
• Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes