The Tech Free Press

Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead

2007-09-19T05:50:00.000-07:00

The New York Times finally figured it out.

Amazing!

As of September 19, the New York Times has ended their TimesSelect program that charged online readers a fee for certain content. In a letter to their readers, the Times explains reason for the change.

“Since we launched TimesSelect in 2005, the online landscape has altered significantly. Readers increasingly find news through search, as well as through social networks, blogs and other online sources. In light of this shift, we believe offering unfettered access to New York Times reporting and analysis best serves the interest of our readers, our brand and the long-term vitality of our journalism. We encourage everyone to read our news and opinion – as well as share it, link to it and comment on it.”

Personally, I don’t think that the online landscape has shifted much when it comes to paying for content. Online readers don’t like paying.

The Internet was originally designed to be a free environment where ideas were shared among users. Users like this concept, but some corporations simply can’t adapt their capitalistic thinking.

It’s about time that the leading newspaper in this country learned from their mistake and made a correction.

Let’s all join the Munchkins and sing:
Ding Dong! The Witch is dead.

Leopold Strabismus Lives On

2007-09-14T09:19:00.001-07:00

For those of you who have read the James Michener novel Space, the name Leopold Strabismus and the thoughts of his little green men will no doubt bring a smile to your face. The loveable, conniving brains behind the Universal Space Agency would probably laugh hysterically if he heard about Lunar Embassy.

The brainchild of self proclaimed Head Cheese Dennis Hope, Lunar Embassy claims that it is the only organization that can legally sell you property on the moon.

According to many, including CNN, Lunar Embassy's claims are, well, lunacy.

Sorry for the groaner, but I had to borrow that pun from the Chinese government. It was just too good to pass up.

For a mere $19.99 you can by 1 acre of prime lunar real estate that comes with an official looking deed with your name printed on it. If that's not enough for all of you space pioneers, you can also buy property on Mars, Venus and Mercury.

Is this legal? Nope. Your deed won't hold up in a court of law that's held in any universe.

But this scam is also not illegal. As Stanley Mott found out in Space, Leopold Strabismus and Dennis Hope give people exactly what is advertised. Strabismus gave his subscribers newsletters about little green men, and Hope gives his patrons a worthless deed with their name on it.

P. T. Barnum was absolutely right.

A TV in Every Room? Just Say No

2007-05-13T15:36:00.000-07:00

Chris Pirillo of Lockergnome recently stated the following:

The effects of television today cannot be easily summed up as simply good or bad. The viewing of television is more than the subject matter viewed. The loss of time to do other things can be more the problem. Time to view television grows larger with each year of life in the age of the cathode ray tube and liquid crystal screen.

I agree. The amount of time that people spend in front of the television is incredible.

But the days of the family gathering in front of the TV with a bowl of popcorn to watch a show are long gone. These days there seems to be a TV in every room, and everyone goes to their own space in the house to watch their favorite show.

How sad.

I must admit that my house has two TVs. I love TV, and so does everyone in my family. Sometimes the convenience of two TVs is helpful to retain peace in the household.

However, my children will never have a TV in their bedroom. My wife and I just don't think that it's healthy. We would rather see them playing outside or spending their TV time with us watching shows as a family.

I think that we are fairly typical in our viewing habits. We all enjoy various sitcoms, cartoons, game shows. Who doesn't?

However, much of the TV that we watch is educational. My 8 year old daughter is a huge fan of This Old House, Trading Spaces, the History channel, and Discovery.

We enjoy watching those shows together and have all learned something from them. How else would we have found out that T-Rex was a scavenger and not the ferocious hunter of Jurassic Park fame?

I agree with Chris Pirillo that TV has sapped much of the time that we used to spend doing hobbies or talking with others.

With judicious use, however, it does not have to become the mind-numbing, isolationist activity that it has become.

The TV can be an interesting educational supplement and an enjoyable family activity.

Do you really need a TV in every room?

I don't think so.

University Threats Are Not Funny

2007-05-10T06:02:00.000-07:00

Is this a joke?

"I think you should kill some of those asses . . . or better, let loose the walshman on their asses!! I'll kill em!" Andrew Walsh wrote from his Facebook profile, which included a photograph of a young man brandishing a large gun.

"We'll call a general SA meeting in Bolton 150 . . . then when everyone's seated . . . we'll lock the doors and out pop my guys with HK mp5's . . . and we'll take care of em! Hahahahahaha."

As an adult student at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, this is no joke.

However, a college education apparently doesn’t equate to common sense. At least not to UWM graduate Andrew Walsh who posted these statements on a friend’s Facebook page.

Hello, McFly. Is anybody home in there?

Thankfully, this was in fact a joke. But university officials, campus police and the Federal Joint Task Force on Terrorism took this threat seriously and ensured the safety of the students and faculty.

In light of the recent shootings at Virginia Tech, just about anyone with an ounce of common sense would realize that this isn’t funny.

Sarcasm, satire and other types of humor are extremely difficult to portray online when key elements of humor such as vocal inflections and facial expressions cannot be conveyed.

Even professional writers struggle with this battle. Just look at how often someone takes a story in The Onion seriously.

Just because you think that your writing or online posting is funny does not mean that others will interpret it as humorous rhetoric.

Sometimes a little common sense and a pause before that final click can avoid a serious misunderstanding.

Isnt’ that right, McFly…..er…..Mr. Walsh?

Save Your iPod from Windows Vista

2007-05-09T19:31:00.000-07:00

Do you have an iPod that is connected to a PC running Windows Vista? If so, you should ensure that you download the following patch to prevent your iPod from being corrupted.

I still think that it is quite ironic that the iPod can be corrupted after the "Safely Remove Hardware" message was displayed.

It's also somewhat ironic that Microsoft and Apple partnered to develop the fix, especially since the iPod is a direct competitor with the Zune.

Times sure are changing.

$1,500 Keyboard is Crazy

2007-05-08T16:54:00.000-07:00

Talk about crazy!

Set to debut in November, the Optimus Maximus is a very cool dynamic keyboard that allows you to change the symbol on each key of the keyboard because each key contains a 36 x 36 pixel display.

The $1,500 price tag is ridiculous in an era when almost all keyboards are cheaply made and disposable.

Spilling a soda on that new keyboard could be a very costly mistake, indeed.

While I generally like the idea, that price tag is just too much to get over. What's next, a $1,000 mouse that lets you display a picture on the front?

Hey, now that's not a bad idea.

Bill Gates, Be A Hero

2007-05-08T03:39:00.000-07:00

In a case that smacks of McCarthyism, Russian headmaster Alexander Ponosov has been found guilty of using 12 illegal copies of Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office on his school’s computers.

Have the Russian authorities lost their mind?

In a world where gangs of hackers steal millions of dollars of software each year, this teacher is being prosecuted for allegedly stealing software worth approximately 5,000 rubles, or $194 American dollars.

What a joke.

In a previous Tech Free Press posting, I urged Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates to be a hero and intercede on Ponosov’s behalf. Instead, Microsoft issued the following statement:

"Our interest is not in prosecuting schools or teachers, it is in helping students develop the technology skills they need in the 21st century. Mr. Ponosov's case was initiated by Russian authorities under Russian law. Microsoft neither initiated nor has any plans to bring any action against Mr. Ponosov," Microsoft said.

Surprisingly, Uncle Bill didn’t listen to my recommendation back in February. Maybe now that readership of this blog has increased to nearly 70 readers per day he’ll realize that my opinion matters more.

Then again, he does own the majority interest in the largest software company currently in existence and has more lawyers than I have readers.

I have to do something about that!

Perhaps an e-mail to Mark Cuban would help. He may not get as much credit for philanthropy as Bill Gates, but Cuban knows how to shake things up when it really matters.

To be fair to Bill Gates and Microsoft, Ponosov brought some of this trouble on himself. The case was thrown out of court in February, but it was reopened at Ponosov’s urging because he was not found completely innocent.

Doh!

Regardless, it’s time that this case was ended once and for all. Russian President Vladimir Putin has called this case “utter nonsense.”

At least he understands.

Hopefully someone will step in and help this poor, addled soul. Anyone who has charges against themselves reinstated needs some outside intervention.

Loyal readers, please help. Let’s e-mail Bill Gates and ask him to help Mr. Ponosov. According to several sources, Uncle Bill’s e-mail address is billg@microsoft.com.

Do I really think that this e-mail address will work? Probably not.

But hey, you’ll never know what the response will be unless you ask.

Is Yahoo Serious?

2007-05-07T14:37:00.000-07:00

Is a two minute video of someone stacking 20 dice a major news story? Does anyone even care?

I think not.

While sort of interesting, I doubt that this video would hardly even be viewed on YouTube.

Maybe the folks at Yahoo are trying to drive down the price so that Microsoft can afford to buy the company.

Oh, wait. Microsoft has more money than most small countries. My bad.

I have just one big of advice for Microsoft: beware of Yahoo. It's nothing but trouble.

Rush Continues Technological Innovation

2007-05-07T07:27:00.000-07:00

According to the Rush.com Web site, the MVI version of the band’s new disc, Snakes & Arrows, will be available on June 5.

MVI, which is short for Music Video Interactive, offers features beyond those of a standard DVD. MVI discs play in all standard DVD players, computers and DVD-enabled gaming consoles.

Just check out the cool features listed on the Rush site that will be included in the Snakes & Arrows MVI DVD:

The entire album in 96kHz/24 bit hi-resolution stereo
The entire album in 5.1 surround sound
Rush: The Game of Snakes & Arrows – a 45-minute documentary on the making of the album, with unprecedented access to the band in the studio
The ability to create your own mobile ringtones using UrTone technology
Digital extras like wallpapers, buddy icons, a screensaver and more
Deluxe packaging

Rush has always been at the forefront of technology and they have included hi-tech goodies with their albums whenever they could. Cool artistic software, drum charts, short documentaries, and Easter eggs are just some examples of what Rush has included with previous CDs or DVDs.

Even their Flash-based Web site it professionally designed and cutting edge.

After more than 30 years of groundbreaking music and innovative use of technology, Rush definitely deserves to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Street Sense Wins Derby

2007-05-06T07:56:00.000-07:00

Those of you who know me know that I love horse racing. There’s something magical about watching those beautiful, noble creatures glide along the track.

So imagine my disappointment when I realized that I wouldn’t be able to watch the 133rd Kentucky Derby because I was going to an arena football game.

I love football, too, but the "most exciting two minutes in sports" only happens once a year.

Making that decision was tough, but it was made easier because I was fairly confident that I’d be able to watch my favorite equine event on YouTube.

Sure enough, it took just a couple of minutes to find a replay of yesterday’s race.

While it wasn’t as exciting as watching the race live on TV or actually being at Churchill Downs as I was in 2000, this YouTube solution was a quick and easy way to get my first Triple Crown fix of the year.

Hopefully I won’t miss the next two Triple Crown races this year, but if I do I know that YouTube will make it easy for me to catch the races once I get home.

Good luck Street Sense. I hope that you prove the skeptics wrong and become the next Triple Crown winner.

Rummage Sales Trump eBay

2007-05-05T07:13:00.000-07:00

When you’re trying to downsize the glut of stuff that you’ve accumulated over the years, very little can eclipse the sheer thrill of watching the bids of your eBay auction proceed beyond your wildest expectations.

Admit it - watching a bidding war for something that you consider junk is just plain fun.

However, the planning, setup and sales produced by the old fashioned rummage sale is, overall, a much more enjoyable personal experience.

Don’t get me wrong; rummage sales are a lot of work and frequently turn into a huge pain in the butt. However, the camaraderie and family bonding that can occur is much more important than merely auctioning off your stuff.

Besides, who doesn’t like going to someone else’s rummage sale and finding deals for yourself without having to bid against countless others for your new found treasure?

The people you meet through rummage sales are definitely an eclectic mix of folks. Chatting with them is an interesting bonus that you can’t experience using eBay.

My wife and I have been rummage sale fanatics since we first started dating. We like them so much that we even visit them while on vacation. We simply can’t suppress the excitement of following the signs and searching for deals..

While vacationing in Iowa a few years ago, we happened upon the annual “World’s Largest Rummage Sale” in Waterloo. While we’ve seen bigger and better sales, the memories will last us a lifetime.

eBay just can’t compete with that.

Don’t get me wrong. eBay is definitely a useful and positive evolution of the backyard rummage sale. I love using eBay.

But as the rummage sale season approaches, I have to admit that I have a big soft spot in my heart for the backyard rummage sale.

Sometimes technolgy takes a back seat to the retro cool of nostalgia.

Ron Jeremy: Uber-Geek

2007-05-04T21:37:00.000-07:00

Huh?

That’s what I said. But it’s true.

Porn icon Ron Jeremy is the host of the new web-based technology show “Techsmart with Ron Jeremy” that appears on YouTube wannabe Heavy.com.

I suppose now that he’s gained 50 pounds and his porn career is over it’s time for a career change, but does Ron Jeremy really know anything about technology?

After watching the show a couple of times, the only thing that I can really say is that he was able to find people to interview who are stranger than he is.

In a weird, bizarre sort of way the show is somewhat amusing.

You’re definitely not going to learn much about technology from Ron Jeremy, but the show is strange enough that I can see it gaining a cult following in a Rocky Horror Picture Show kind of way.

Just remember to keep the squirt guns and rice away from the computers, and hope that everyone on the show keeps their clothes on.

Especially the host.

Inmates are Running the Asylim

2007-05-04T03:58:00.000-07:00

In a weak-kneed move that caved in to peer pressure, the executives at popular site aggregator Digg recently threw up their hands and allowed users to publish the keys to allow people to illegally copy DVDs.

According to a recent Associated Press story on CNN:

By late Tuesday, Digg co-founder Kevin Rose said the site would stop trying. [to remove the DVD keys]

"Today was an insane day," Rose wrote in a company blog.

He said Digg agreed to the removal to "avoid a scenario where Digg would be interrupted or shut down."

"But now, after seeing hundreds of stories and reading thousands of comments, you've made it clear. You'd rather see Digg go down fighting than bow down to a bigger company," he wrote. "If we lose, then what the hell, at least we died trying."

Would Digg be as accommodating if users were posting child pornography or al-Qaeda terrorist instructions?

I think not.

Sometimes being in charge requires leaders to make tough decisions that will make them unpopular or change the direction of the business. It comes with the job. Just ask the folks at Napster.

However hard it may be, doing the right thing is always the best course of action.

Unfortunately, Digg executives don't agree.

Army Censors Soldiers’ Blogs

2007-05-03T11:20:00.000-07:00

In a move that is not terribly surprising, Wired reports that “the U.S. Army has ordered soldiers to stop posting to blogs or sending personal e-mail messages, without first clearing the content with a superior officer.”

This is nothing new.

The military has been censoring snail-mail since World War II in an effort to keep classified information out of enemy hands.

Blogs and e-mail sent from soldiers who are in a combat zone should be subject to the same restrictions.

This is not a violation of free speech, as many people believe, but a matter of safety.

Imagine what could happen if an al-Qaeda operative read a blog posting that mentioned the blogger’s recent activities, or more importantly their future plans. Even an oblique reference could be enough to tip off the enemy to some future activity.

The enemy could also use photographs posted to blog entries to decipher the layout of a military installation or locate a specific unit. Law enforcement and the military do this exact same thing, so why shouldn’t the terrorists?

While I agree that censoring blogs could silence the important voice of the combat zone soldier, I believe that their safety is more important.

That being said, I feel that the new directive is too restrictive because it also includes soldier’s families. Does this mean that the content of every blog and e-mail written by a family member must be approved by the soldiers’ commanding officer?

Just imagine a grizzled Army officer having to approve the cooking recipe that Grandma Mary is sending to her friends and family.

How ridiculous.

I believe that censoring the e-mail and blog posting of combat zone soldiers is a matter of security. However, placing the same restrictions on civilian family members is inappropriate and absurd.

MySpace Derails Obama Presidency

2007-05-03T03:57:00.000-07:00

In a move that could cost Illinois Senator Barak Obama the presidency, his campaign took control of an extremely popular MySpace page and risked alienating 160,000 voters.

With the last two presidential elections decided by a handful of voters residing in a few key swing states, this move could be considered political suicide.

Could the handling of this issue be an indication of how Obama will act if his is voted into office?

It could be.

Votes have been won or lost for reasons far less important than this.

All of the leading presidential candidates realize the importance of the Internet community. Many of the candidates even announced their candidacy via their own Web site.

The fact that this MySpace page created by a volunteer had 160,000 friends indicates the voting power of the Internet community.

Could the presidency be determined by the new swing state called the Internet?

I believe that it could.

Increase IT Diversity

2007-05-01T18:44:00.000-07:00

My favorite columnist, Eugene Kane of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, made the following statement in a recent column:

It was clear the blogosphere in Milwaukee is similar to most institutions in town: predominantly white and filled with folks who only want to talk about race relations if they can blame all of the problems in the black community on Ald. Mike McGee.

I agree that there is a startling lack of diversity in the blogosphere, and in the technology industry in general. I have worked in the IT industry for more than 16 years, and in that time the only thing that hasn’t changed much is the predominance of white males.

For some reason white males get the gig as the uber-geek, especially in the highly technical positions.

Are white males the only ones who are willing to spend most of their waking hours dreaming of ways to create a fully-meshed network or deploy redundant SANs?

I certainly hope not.

As I have previously stated, I believe that there are plenty of unemployed or underemployed folks who have the aptitude and desire to join the IT workforce. All that they need is a chance.

In order to increase diversity in the IT industry, I propose that the following measures be pursued.

Encourage training schools such as ITT Technical Institute and PC Pro Schools to create campuses within the city of Milwaukee, especially in areas that have high unemployment rates.
Encourage local businesses to create on-the-job-training programs for entry level IT positions.
Create a program to salvage retired computer equipment from local businesses and provide this free gear to people who cannot afford a computer.
Provide free broadband connections to homes where someone is training for an IT career through a registered program.
Hold IT related job fairs in Milwaukee’s inner-city and other areas that have high unemployment rates.
Broadcast public service announcements on television and radio that promote IT related careers and provide training related information.

These are the same ideas that I proposed in my previous posting, but they are important enough to reiterate.

Instead of finding ways to outsource IT jobs overseas, we should be finding ways to give everyone in this country an opportunity to have a fun and exciting job that also pays pretty darn good.

Mark Cuban Right About Digital Persona

2007-05-01T03:36:00.000-07:00

Mark Cuban gets it.

The visionary Internet entrepreneur and rebel NBA team owner really hit the nail on the head in his recent blog posting as he waxed philosophical about digital personas.

To strangers in the digital world, we are what our search results return. Even friends and family can learn things about us using Google. For example, my written persona that is presented online is far different than my offline self.

What do we know about our favorite Drunken Pirate? From recent media reports, all that we seemingly know is that Stacy Snyder likes to party on Halloween and has been unfairly punished by a hyper-sensitive university for having a good time.

Is this really who she is? I doubt it. I'm sure that the real Stacy Snyder is far different than the persona presented in recent online postings and media stories.

I've often wondered about the rhetorical persona that has been created for me in our digital world. Will it someday cost me a job? I certainly hope not. Could it help me land a job? That would be great!

What I do know is that my digital persona is not really who I am. Like the first impression I make, my digital persona is merely a snapshot of myself that may, or may not fully represent my true self.

As Drunken Pirate has recently learned, we should carefully cultivate our online persona as carefully as we develop our offline persona. Your digital persona can have a far greater impact on your offline persona than you may realize.

Just ask Stacy Snyder.

A Good Computer for Every Child

2007-04-30T06:06:00.000-07:00

Imagine the joy of watching a young child eagerly tear open the box to their brand new laptop.

It’s a family picture to be treasured forever.

Now imagine that child living in, say, Libya.

As discussed previously here on The Tech Free Press, the American nonprofit organization One Laptop Per Child hopes to put an inexpensive laptop in the hands of every child in the world.

It’s an admirable, but somewhat impossible mission. However, I applaud the effort and truly hope that eventually every person in the world has access to their own computer.

Although originally slated to cost just $100 per device, One Laptop Per Child recently announced that each device will cost approximately $175.

Hopefully the price increase will not deter some third world countries from purchasing the devices for their school-age children. Their cost is justified and necessary.

In fact, I believe that certain technology companies in the U.S. should pony up some free hardware and software so that the price of these devices can return to $100.

Instead of squabbling over who makes the best “cheap” laptop, a consortium of PC manufacturers and software companies should make a concerted effort to develop a durable and technologically capable PC that will cost $100, or less.

It can be done!

Instead of spending millions of dollars on useless advertising campaigns, companies like Intel, Dell, Apple, Microsoft, and Adobe should spend some time improving the educational prospects of children throughout the world.

Doing so will improve the lives of these children and build an even bigger customer base for these companies.

It’s a win-win proposition for everyone.

Drunken Pirate Denied Teaching Degree

2007-04-29T15:21:00.000-07:00

In what appears to be an egregious miscarriage of justice, a Millersville, PA woman was denied a teaching degree because of a photo on her MySpace page.

Do university officials, employers, and others have a right to use your MySpace, FaceBook, blog, or other online information against you?

I think not.

Stacy Snyder, 27, posted a picture of herself wearing a pirate costume and drinking from a Mr. Goodbar cup at a 2005 Halloween party. The photo was accompanied by the caption “Drunken Pirate.”

Millersville University claims that Snyder was promoting underage drinking. However, at the time Snyder was 25 years old and legally old enough to drink alcohol. There is absolutely no evidence that Snyder did anything illegal.

I believe that the university has overstepped the boundaries and applied their own narrow-minded standards.

Have these officials forgotten what it's like to have fun?

Snyder, a mother of two, should be lauded for obtaining her teaching degree and not condemned for having fun at a party and sharing it with her friends and family.

Employers and university officials have a right to do background checks on their prospective employees or students, but delving into their personal lives to this degree is definitely leading down a slippery slope.

While it is illegal to ask about race on an employment application, it’s no stretch of the imagination to realize that viewing someone’s MySpace page could lead to discrimination of many types.

Background research should be limited to the information that is supplied on the application. If an employer or university official wants to view a MySpace page, then they should ask for the link instead of using Google.

I sure hope that my present or future employer doesn’t find my new band’s Web site and realize that I play drums. They might not like the music we play or want a wannabe rock star on staff.

Heaven forbid that I have a life outside of work.

Speed up Firefox

2007-04-27T18:32:00.000-07:00

Firefox is a great browser, but it can definitely use a little boost in speed. Our friends at CNET provide this great tip that will increase the speed of your favorite browser with just a couple of clicks.

Follow this URL to learn more: http://www.cnettv.com/9710-1_53-27253.html

Reality Show Winner Elected President

2007-04-26T10:43:00.000-07:00

The new political reality show “Independent” will utilize MySpace and YouTube auditions, and it may influence the 2008 presidential elections.

Does this thought frighten you? It should!

Although the concept of this new reality show is an exciting and innovative use of the Internet, the winning “prize” has a lot to be desired.

According to a recent Reuters story, “Mark Burnett, the producer who popularized reality television, and Internet social network MySpace will unveil a new reality TV and Internet series that aims to groom one young politician or community leader to represent young America.”

The winner of “Independent” will receive $1 million that they can use to launch a new political party, donate to a political cause, or enter the U.S. presidential race.

Is this really a prize worth winning? I don’t think so.

First of all, it would take a lot more than $1 million to successfully start a new political party. In theory, it could be done. But as the Green Party demonstrates, creating a new political party is much more difficult than winning a reality show.

Next, if you win $1 million on a reality show, why should you have to donate it to anyone?

Finally, would the winning representative of young America meet the minimum age requirement and even be eligible to enter the presidential race?

"The whole point of “Independent” really speaks to what young Americans want," the British-born Burnett said. "If you look back, the (political) system was supposed to work this way."

This brings me to my nightmare.

Let’s suppose that “Independent” energizes the young voting base and the winner actually does get elected president. Do we really want the winner of a reality show running the country?

Stick with the tried-and-true formula Mark Burnett. Give the money to the winner and let them fade into pop-culture history like most of the other reality show winners. If they are really destined to become president, let them earn it with their talents and experience. Such a course will make them a much better leader.

The temporary fame and fortune of a reality show should influence pop-culture, not American politics.

Cell Phone Gaming Revolution

2007-04-25T18:44:00.000-07:00

The latest cell phones from Japanese mobile carrier NTT DoCoMo have the potential to be oodles of fun, but could also create havoc in crowded places.

The FOMA 904i series phones contain motion sensor hardware similar to the controllers in the Nintendo Wii. This advance in technology will revolutionize cell phone gaming.

Users will now be able to play games by moving their phone or waving their finger, not just pressing buttons.

Cool!

Imagine the sounds coming from bathroom stalls and back seats once these new phones and physically interactive games hit the market.

On a serious note, technology that encourages people to get physically active is almost always good. Like the Wii, these phones have the potential to create games that will be fun to play AND healthy.

Who knows, you may even be able to use your cell phone with your Wii console.

From a technology standpoint, I wonder if the next step for this technology will be multi-player games. Imagine groups of teens running through the mall playing virtual tag, or some other type of game.

Okay, maybe that scenario does have the potential for a little chaos.

However, a little harmless fun is certainly safer than text messaging someone while driving down the highway.

These phone will hit the U.S. market sometime after their May release in Japan.

I can’t wait.

Want to Earn a Million Bucks?

2007-04-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

I have belatedly discovered what I believe is the easiest way of earning $1 million bucks.

Create a Web site that contains 1 million pixels. Sell each pixel for $1. Sit back and watch the money roll in.

Alex Tew, 21, of Wiltshire, England, launched The Million Dollar Home Page in the fall of 2005. In less than five months he sold 1 million pixels at $1 each.

Sweet!

Instead of taking out loans or asking his parents to pay for college, the entrepreneurial Alex conceived of this idea and is now able to pay for his own education. This is a fantastic idea.

The only knock that I have on this business model is that hustling pixels limited him to just $1 million.

However, if this idea is any indication, I’m sure that Alex will come up with another successful money-making venture to pay for grad school.

US Texting Champion Crowned

2007-04-23T04:54:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Eli Tirosh.

Tirosh, 21, the current West Coast Champion, won the title of US Texting Champion yesterday by besting East Coast Champion Morgan Pozgar, 13.

In a tense final, Pozgar appeared to win the competition. However, a misspelling of the Mary Poppins song "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" gave Tirosh the title.

After typing that word, I can see why she may have had some problems wrapping her thumbs around it.

Cudos to the victors. Tirosh walked away with a cool $25,000, while Pozgar pocketed $10,000.

I previously mentioned this competition a few weeks ago, and while I still think that a US Text Messaging championship is a bit absurd, I am happy to see that we've taken the text messaging addicts off of the road for a short time.

This text messaging competition seems very similar to the Rubik's Cube competitions that began more than 25 years ago, or even the current rash of video game competitions.

While I don't understand the thrill of these competitions, I certainly don't deride the participants. In fact, I give them credit for finding creative ways to enjoy their passion.

That being said, even 13 year old Pozgar understands the value of a good quote.

"It's all about the thumbwork," said Pozgar. "It's about balance."

How could ESPN have missed this golden opportunity?

Celebrate Earth Day

2007-04-20T06:42:00.000-07:00

The GM robot was right.

Do we think of the sadness and rejection that our electronic gadgets feel when they are replaced without so much as a thank you for months of loyal service and reliability?

Nope.

All that we think about is using the new gear. I’m guilty, and so is every uber-geek that I know.

After all, who wants to dwell on legacy hardware?

As we approach another Earth Day, let’s take a few minutes to contemplate what we can do to conserve our natural resources, reduce landfills, eliminate toxic waste produced by consumer electronics, and reduce the sadness and rejection felt by our old electronic hardware.

Here are a few ideas for you to consider:

Replace electronic hardware only when it breaks or is truly no longer useable.
Repair broken devices instead of replacing them.
Research a product’s repair history before purchasing to ensure you are buying a durable product.
Dispose of electronic hardware through a certified recycling program.
Donate old electronics to an organization that will refurbish and reuse the equipment.
Pass on your used electronics to your children, either at home or their school.
Encourage businesses to donate used electronics to an organization that will refurbish them for continued use.
Give your old computers to an underprivileged family so they can become part of the global Internet community.
Turn off electronic equipment when it is not in use.

Don’t let the GM robot’s message of sadness and rejection go unheeded. Instead, think of the message sent by the emotional American Indian of the 70s as he saw his beloved Earth being destroyed by waste and pollution.

Let’s do our part to ensure that Earth Day is no longer a plea to do the right thing, but instead becomes a day to celebrate our success at sustaining our planet’s beauty and natural resources.

Technology Aids VT Students and Families

2007-04-17T14:46:00.000-07:00

My thoughts and prayers for the last 24 hours have been with the faculty, staff, students and families of the Virginia Tech family.

While scouring the major news sites for information of yesterday's senseless acts, I realized that technology played an integral and useful role in the tragedy.

Students and staff used cell phones and text messages to contact their loved ones to let them know that they were safe. When the cell phone network was overloaded, many people turned the fun-Net into the Useful-Net by posting messages on their Facebook and MySpace pages.

I am glad that technology played such a prominent and useful role in the senseless tragedy. Technology does, after all, have many good and positive qualities.

Hopefully school and government officials can use these examples to organize technology resources that can help the community in this type of situation. My suggestions are:

Improve cell phone and computer networks to handle traffic spikes during an emergency.
Educational and government organizations should develop, publish and publicize electronic communication plans for emergency situations.
Educational facilities should organize cell phone groups to rapidly send message alerts to a campus community.
Use the Emergency Broadcast System to send alert messages to the community.
Use digital highway signs and digital billboards to broadcast alert messages.
Encourage the use of Web pages, Facebook and MySpace as a communication vehicle for notifications.

It is my sincere hope that another tragedy like this will never occur. If it does, hopefully technology can be used to save lives or relieve the fear and worry of parents, family and friends of those involved.

Kiss Your Dream Job Goodbye

2007-04-16T07:51:00.000-07:00

Do you think that these e-mail address names are cool, hip and trendy?

alliecat
foxylady
bigbadjim
bacardigirl
sillygirl
gigglepoo
hunkalicious

These names might be cute if you’re in high school or college, but if you are using them on a resume or job application you can kiss that dream job goodbye.

According to a recent MSNBC story, “electronic resumes linked to job candidates with quirky and “unprofessional” e-mail names are rated lower by potential employers than those with professional names.”

First impressions usually form lasting impressions, and in a competitive job market you don’t want to have an employer question your character or professional ability.

E-mail names are not the only offenders. As IM and text messaging supplant e-mail, these names are becoming equally important.

Think of what a prospective or current employer will think if they receive an IM from onehotbabe or bighunkystud. Names like that will make an impression, but not always the one that you want.

If you use a questionable name for your e-mail or IM, create a new account that you can safely use in a professional setting.

Save the cool, hip and trendy monikers for your friends and family. Your parents may worry about the e-mail they receive from sweetsexychick or an IM from whiskeydude, but at least they will still welcome you with open arms when you come home for the holidays.

Randomly Dial a Soul Mate

2007-04-10T08:39:00.000-07:00

Wanna meet that special someone? Then grab your cell phone and start randomly dialing numbers. Your soul mate could be just a phone call away.

Sound far fetched? Think again. This very thing actually happened to a couple in London.

After chuckling a little bit, I realized that the odds of finding love through random dialing are no different than more traditional methods. Think about it.

Do your odds actually improve after a few drinks? They might, depending on what you look like.
Can you really trust your friends to set you up on a blind date? Hmmmmm.
Want to make enemies at work? Date a co-worker.
You can rely on those inflated profiles and fake pictures found on click-a-mate online services, right?

Finding your mate often seems like a random and magical act. Some call it destiny.

How many couples do you know who have an “odd” meeting story? I don’t know many who don’t.

I think that those odd stories are what a blossoming relationship needs because it gives the couple a very special memory to share. After all, how exciting can it be to tell your friends that you married your cubicle neighbor?

Duh! Boring!

After all, are the odds of randomly dialing an axe murdering psychopath any greater than meeting that person in some other way?

Go ahead, give it a try. That’s what those unlimited weekend minutes are for.

Increasing the IT Work Force

2007-04-04T06:38:00.000-07:00

A recent Milwaukee Journal Sentinel story piqued my interest, not necessarily for the stated good intentions but for what wasn’t said.

The story explains how local businesses are visiting Milwaukee area public schools in an attempt to excite students about technology with the hopes that some of them will eventually pursue IT careers.

Without a doubt, this is a wonderful idea that will help build the area’s technology base in the future.

I know that the story was focused on the drive to encourage students to become interested in technology, but it made me wonder why very little has been done to encourage and enable adults to break down the barriers that prevent them from pursuing technology careers.

According to the Journal Sentinel, unemployment in the Milwaukee area rose to 5.5% in the last 12 months. That’s a large workforce that is available now, not in 5 or 10 years.

With such a large pool of unemployed citizens, why isn’t something being done to encourage and train these people to pursue IT careers?

Certainly some of them will have the aptitude and desire to learn the requisite skills. All that they need is the right training and a chance to learn.

I realize that there are a multitude of opinions about improving the unemployment rate in the city of Milwaukee. Here are some of my ideas for what our community can do to improve the job prospects for the unemployed and our local IT workforce:

Encourage training schools such as ITT Technical Institute and PC Pro Schools to create campuses within the city of Milwaukee, especially in areas that have high unemployment rates.
Encourage local businesses to create on-the-job-training programs for entry level IT positions.
Create a program to salvage retired computer equipment from local businesses and provide this free gear to people who do not have a computer.
Provide free broadband connections to homes where someone is training for an IT career through a registered program.
Hold IT related job fairs in areas of the city that have high unemployment rates.
Broadcast public service announcements on television and radio that promote IT related careers and provide training related information.

As a product of the Washington High School Computer Specialty Program in the 1980s, I realize how vital the job fairs and technology programs are to public school students.

Hopefully Milwaukee area leaders will see the importance of technology based training programs for adults that simply need some guidance, encouragement and a chance to pursue their dream.

Surely the community and local businesses will benefit.

Professional Text Messaging

2007-04-03T10:43:00.000-07:00

Calling all uber-geeks!

The world’s first text messaging competition will be held in Los Angeles this coming Saturday.

According to a recent Reuters’ story, “Players will compete in groups to see who can text set phrases quickest and without errors, with the winner getting a $10,000 prize and advancement to the finals in New York City on April 21.”

Once again parents have been proven wrong. Teenage text messaging addicts can now get paid to get their frenzied digital fix.

Can an ESPN competition be on the horizon? Stuart Scott has definitely got the lingo and the flair for it.

Perhaps I will ask my kids for text messaging lessons so that I can earn some money on the side in order to buy the latest speed-text-messaging gear.

Instead of watching television or playing video games, my family can spend our quality time texting each other in order to build our speed and endurance.

Maybe one of us will even become a Professional Text Messager, or as any true uber-geek would call us, a PTM.

Apparently, anything is possible.

Digital Worship

2007-04-02T06:02:00.000-07:00

Are you too busy to make your regular church service this week? Don’t worry. You might soon be able to worship on-line from the comfort of your own home.

Churches are quickly turning to the Internet to post videotaped services and other educational classes in an effort to make worshiping a part of your everyday life.

At first I scoffed at the idea as being nothing more than another way for the televangelists to rake in a quick buck. However, after more reflection, I am beginning to warm to this idea.

I believe that videotaped church services can be advantageous in several ways.

You don’t have to worry about missing church if you’re out of town.
The homebound can worship at their own church.
Visiting a church Web site is a good way to “visit” a new church, especially if you are searching for a church before moving to the area.
On-line video is an excellent way to educate a congregation.
Video can be used to attract new members.
You can replay the service if you don’t understand or remember something that you heard while attending your regular weekly worship service.
You can attend church everyday.

However, use caution when it comes to the virtual collection plate. Like all other Internet related transactions, you should beware of scams and other on-line predators. Shady televangelists are still around, and the Internet provides a fertile new medium for them to pedal their phony prophesies.

As Mary Chapin Carpenter says, “Forgiveness shouldn’t come with a debt.”

On-line video provides an excellent medium for legitimate religious groups and churches to spread the Word, and is a hi-tech medium that all churches should consider employing.

Millions of uber-geeks are surfing the Web waiting to be saved. There is no better way to reach them than the communications medium that they are most comfortable using.

Lonelygirl15 Breaks New Ground

2007-03-29T05:05:00.000-07:00

Lonelygirl15 has gone corporate.

In a clever move to boost financing for the show, the creators have begun integrating product placement ads for Ice Breakers Sour Gum into the production.

Big deal.

Advertising has been a part of television entertainment since it began. In the early days of television, viewers were treated to 10 to 15 minute advertising segments produced by the show’s sponsors. Thank goodness I missed those days.

Product placement is just the latest and least offensive method to boost the necessary advertising ratings that keep independent shows like Lonelygirl15 afloat.

Does it really hurt the episode if Bree and her friends chew Ice Breakers Sour Gum and the camera zooms in for a close up shot? I don’t think so.

I would rather see a product placement ad than lose the flame of inspiration found in episodic shows produced by independent filmmakers.

Bravo to the creators of Lonelygirl15. You have once again shown your ingenuity and resourcefulness as you forge the identity of a new entertainment medium.

Wiki's Weak War of Words

2007-03-28T05:12:00.000-07:00

Wikipedia now has a competitor.

If one somewhat dubious on-line reference site wasn’t enough, Citizendium has thrown its hat into the community-based wiki world.

Created by Larry Sanger, a co-founder of Wikipedia, Citizendium claims to improve the Wiki world “by adding ‘gentle expert oversight’ and requiring contributors to use their real names.”

Like many things in the Wiki world, there’s already debate about Sanger’s claim to be a Wikipedia co-founder. Surprise, surprise.

I am personally not a fan of Wikipedia. That being said, I have used the site on numerous occasions to find quick tidbits of information that were surprisingly unavailable at other reference sites.

I have even verbed a word and begun “Wiki-ing” things. It’s as much fun as it was when we started Google-ing things.

I find it amazing that so many people have taken the time to research, write and publish so much information. Is that what we are supposed to do with all of our free time?

Citizendium thinks so. In fact, Sanger believes that community contribution is so important to everyone that they will recreate Wikipedia all over again. Yeah, right!

If you can't already tell, I believe that Citizendium faces an uphill battle in taking on Wikipedia. Here’s why:

The name, Citizendium, just isn’t as catchy as Wikipedia.
The .com extension would have been better than .org.
Techies and uber-geeks love to create acronyms and nicknames, and Citizendium doesn’t seem to lend itself to those things.
Wikipedia is almost ubiquitous. Even the Citizendium home page calls the site a new wiki project. Duh!
Does anyone really want to create all of the same entries that can already be found on Wikipedia?

Good luck, Citizendium.

Nintendo Wii Changes the Gaming World

2007-03-26T06:33:00.000-07:00

The simplicity of the Nintendo Wii has allowed it to crack the rapidly growing senior citizen market and make video games a healthy diversion for a segment of the population who often eschew strenuous physical activity.

While older generations often fund the video game purchases of their children and grandchildren, it’s rare to find them purchasing a game console for themselves. Until now.

The Wii’s ease of use and physical interaction make it an outstanding game console for gamers of all ages. A recent Reuters story illustrates the demographic shift that Nintendo is successfully leading as they expand the $30 billion video game market.

Many video game mavens, including this writer, wrote the Wii off as a novelty. However, Nintendo has gotten the last laugh in this battle as their comparatively inexpensive $250 console has captured the limelight over more technically advanced gaming systems like the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

Instead of focusing on cutting-edge graphics and overly complex games, Nintendo made the console simpler and the games more fun to play. Bingo!
While that logic makes sense now, I think that hard core gamers didn’t pay much attention to the Wii because of the stunning graphics and advanced technology found in the Xbox and PlayStation consoles.

The Wii, like the Atari Flashback, is really a family oriented gaming console. Anyone can pick up a controller and do moderately well with very little practice. Plus, games such as bowling and tennis are just plain fun.

For seniors, and anyone else who gets little physical activity, the console can provide some moderate health benefits. While the Wii will never replace a good aerobic exercise such as walking, it could definitely provide some lighthearted activity that can be shared across generations.

If you’re searching for the perfect gift, you might consider the Nintendo Wii. Not only is it fun, it’s also a good bridge to help connect several generations of the family. Imagine everyone gathered around the big screen clambering for playing time at your next family gathering.

Think it can’t happen? Nintendo dares you to try.

Multi-layer Displays Revolutionize Slots

2007-03-19T06:22:00.000-07:00

A slick new type of 3-D multilayer LCD display designed for use by the military is now being adapted for use by the gaming industry with the hopes that it will revolutionize their slot machine business.

I think that these hi-tech slots are going to improve the odds for the already heavily favored $85 billion U.S. gambling industry.

The cool new displays, being developed by PureDepth, Inc., make slot machines seem more like a video game than a gambling device. With a large segment of the older generation already hooked on slot machines, it appears that these new machines are designed to lure younger gamblers away from table games such as Blackjack and Poker.

According to Gambling.com, approximately 80 to 85 percent of U.S. residents participate in some form of gambling at least once a year. This same report also indicates that approximately 2 to 3 percent of gamblers are considered to be compulsive gamblers.

Younger gamblers are almost guaranteed to boost these numbers as the gaming industry blurs the line between virtual games and the games that have real life consequences.

According to a study by Sanju George and Vijaya Murali called Pathological Gambling: An Overview of Assessment and Treatment, “Pathological gambling typically begins in early adolescence in males (later in females) and runs a chronic, progressive course, punctuated by periods of abstinence and relapses.”

Beware Gen-X, Gen-y, and everyone who is too young to remember when the Macarena was hip. The gaming industry has definitely got your number.

Despite my fear at the potential danger of these hi-tech slot machines, I am actually looking forward to seeing these new devices. New technology is always exciting, and the new multilayer display has the potential to revolutionize the way we currently look at images on the screen.

In addition to gaming and the military, PureDepth is also targeting cell phones, televisions, PCs, in-car navigation displays, and other hand-held devices. There is definitely the potential for great good to come of this new technology.

My advice to you, however, is that you keep the Gamblers Anonymous link handy if you run into these new displays in a casino and suddenly find yourself uncontrollably drawn to these hi-tech money pits.

Help End Cyber Hunting

2007-03-12T07:11:00.000-07:00

Imagine sitting in front of your computer and anxiously waiting for a deer to walk across the window displayed on your monitor. When the unlucky animal enters the view, you use your mouse to position the crosshairs over the kill zone and click the mouse. If your aim is true and your hand wasn’t shaking while you aimed the mouse, the head of your trophy will be shipped to you via UPS or FedEx.

Does this sound like hunting? It sure doesn’t sound like it to me. However, Texas entrepreneur John Lockwood has found a way to make hunting a virtual sport. Now, with a subscription to his Web site, you can sit in your jammys, sip a warm latte, and kill an animal.

Lawmakers are, pardon the pun, up in arms about cyber hunting. Illinois state Rep. Dan Reitz has proposed banning cyber hunts in Illinois, and I believe that other states should follow suit. Giving a virtual customer control of a loaded gun is as dangerous as it is unsporting.

Although some may make the argument that cyber hunting allows the disabled to experience hunting, I believe that very few disabled people will take advantage of this technology-based imitation. I doubt that many disabled people would liken this experience to actually hunting. Lockwood disagrees.

“Ever since we stopped running after our prey and killing with our hands, we've evolved by distancing ourselves further and further from the game and making it more and more efficient for whatever reason we want to take it," Lockwood said.

Improving firearms and hunting weaponry has been a part of hunting since cave men figured out that using rocks and spears to kill a Wooly Mammoth wasn’t a very good idea.

In today’s world, the thrill of hunting is derived from the experience of stalking the animal, lining up your shot, and actually pulling the trigger. Cyber hunting eliminates all of these elements and cheapens the experience by making it no more exciting than shopping on Amazon.

For once in my life I actually agree with the NRA. Hopefully this powerful lobby will persuade lawmakers to ban cyber hunting and keep the sport free of pseudo thrill seekers who are too scared to get in the field and fire a real gun loaded with live ammunition.

To help ensure that this mockery of hunting is forever banned, consider doing at least one of the following:

Write your local, state, and federal representatives and ask them to ban cyber hunting.

Spread the word about cyber hunting to build a groundswell of support against it.

Write to the NRA and ask them to lobby against cyber hunting.

Recessed Mirror TVs a Must at Miller Park

2007-03-06T06:26:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago my family visited a recently rebuilt McDonalds in the area. Surprisingly, they regaled me with stories of the ultra-cool television mirrors that were installed in the bathrooms.

It seems as though McDonalds has gone hi-tech and installed recessed mirror TVs in the bathrooms of their new stores so that customers can watch the big game (or some other favorite show that McDonalds deems appropriate) while washing their hands. Sports fans must love this idea. I sure do.

While I wonder whether or not this is a wise economical move for McDonalds, I know of another venue where using this technology is a no-brainer.

Miller Park, home of the Milwaukee Brewers, is an amazing facility. The Jumbotron scoreboard, LED ribbon board, and other state of the art electronics provide fans with a wealth of information and cool eye candy. Even the concourses are littered with television so that fans won’t miss a pitch while waiting in line for their food or buying other concessions.

It’s virtually impossible to miss any of the action while you are in the concourse or seating bowl. Technology has definitely made Miller Park a sports fans dream.

However, the spacious restrooms are completely void of electronics, and the only way that you can keep up with the game is through the radio telecast. Over the years I have seen plenty of folks burst out of the restrooms to check the concourse video monitors or run up the concourse when something happens on the field.

Knowing that these people have probably not washed their hands because of their mad dash to see what’s going on sure makes me think twice about using the handrails or touching the concession counters.

Putting TV monitors in the concourse so that fans won’t have to leave their concession line to keep up with the action makes sense. But keeping the same monitors out of the restrooms speaks volumes about the capitalistic intent of the Brewers.

McDonalds understands that installing cool technology in their stores adds to the comfort factor that their customers demand. This organization is obviously going after the Wow! factor that will reward them with return visitors.

Miller Park apparently just wants to provide the extras to those customers who are buying something. Never mind that virtually everyone who visits Miller Park will use the restroom at least once during the game, especially if they visit the concession stand.

I understand that installing TV monitors and recessed TV mirrors in the restrooms would be a huge expense. However, the Brewers would be able to sell additional advertising, which would undoubtedly pay for this cost and eventually provide them with an additional revenue stream.

It’s time for the Miller Park administration to step up to the plate and hit another home run with Brewers fans. Instead of encouraging fans to rush out of the restroom without washing their hands, they should use this cool new technology to increase the Wow! factor once again in this amazing facility.

2008: The Year of the Blogger

2007-02-28T06:10:00.000-08:00

In 20 or 30 years, history may point to the 2008 presidential election as being the first time that candidates used the Internet as a vehicle to determine the legitimacy of their candidacy.

In 2000 and 2004 the presidential candidates used the Internet much like a child suspiciously plays with a new toy that they don’t understand. However, what we’ve already seen is that the current crop of candidates is savvy about the Internet and using it in new and exciting ways.

John Edwards and Hillary Clinton announced their candidacy through prerecorded messages on their Web sites, almost all of the candidates post to "personal" blogs on their Web site, and many candidates have begun placing campaign ads on various Internet sites.

Like the 1952 contest between Dwight Eisenhower and Adlai Stevenson, 2008 may be looked on as a turning point in political campaigning. The candidates finally seem to understand how vital their Internet presence is to their overall campaign, and the mature blogging world is already trying to make a difference in the 2008 elections.

Al Gore, inventor of the Internet and patrician of all things digital, may ironically become the first candidate whose decision to run is decided online.

The recent discovery of Gore’s exorbitant heating bills has quickly become one of the hottest topics in the right-wing bloggosphere. Conservatives are using this story to desperately stunt a grass roots effort to keep the ultra-popular darling of the Hollywood circle on the sidelines in 2008.

However, liberal blogs such as the Daily Kos, are ignoring the seemingly obvious paradox and trying desperately to encourage Gore to run in 2008. Currently, more than 45,000 people have signed the petition to "draft Gore" for the 2008 election.

The resulting debate which will play itself out online may decide which way Gore decides to turn in 2008?

For years Bloggers have demanded legitimacy and yearned to make a difference in the world. 2008 appears to finally be their title shot.

Journalist Gets it Wrong

2007-02-21T06:08:00.000-08:00

Do you know the difference between a file and a folder?

If you are even mildly computer savvy, you probably know that you create folders to store your files. Even Homer Simpson would consider this a no-brainer.

A recent Reuters story outlines a 12-step addiction program designed to cure addicts and free them from the shackles of e-mail. One of the 12-steps is, “Create files where you can put Inbox material that needs to be acted on.”

DOH! E-mail addicts should create FOLDERS for their Inbox materials.

More than five years of technical support has made me fairly tolerant of computer users who are not very computer savvy. I understand that the average person isn’t as knowledgeable about their computer as I am. That’s why I have a job.

But my tolerance stops with a professional writer who is writing about technology. Not only is this a blatant disregard for facts, but it could confuse people who are trying to cure themselves of an e-mail addiction.

Perhaps there should be a 12-step program for journalists who are too busy to get their facts straight and proofread their work. If not, then I'm sure that there a few thousand Computer 101 and E-mail 101 courses available.

Text Messages Trump Hallmark Cards

2007-02-15T07:11:00.000-08:00

Are the halcyon days of guilt induced Valentine’s Day purchases from Hallmark numbered?

Today’s teenagers are either too cheap to buy cards and candy, or they are smarter than most adults and see through the marketing campaigns that have led consumers to spend nearly $14 billion this year on Valentine’s Day purchases.

This year my wife and I added approximately $100 of our hard earned money to the national total spent on Valentine’s Day gifts. My wife received a beautiful flower display from Locker’s, and I received some of my favorite candy.

Boring? Probably. But, this is fairly typical of what folks in our generation do on Valentine’s Day.

But, times have definitely changed because technology has made Valentine’s Day a real-time celebration. My sixteen year old daughter received several loving text messages from her boyfriend. She also showed me the sweet, caring thoughts that he posted on his MySpace page.

What a clever way to earn relationship points! Why didn’t I think of that?

The virtual thoughts that he sent were more personal than standard card fare and touched her in a way that a store bought card could not. Apparently taking the time to write your own verses has merit to the younger, more sensible generation.

Although text messages, virtual greeting cards, and posted love notes are not physical gifts, I believe that the emotional investment in these messages can far outweigh the sentiment found in cards and flowers.

Today’s teenagers have the right idea. I think that using technology to convey their personal feelings is akin to the age-old romantic tradition of writing love letters to your sweetie.

While some deride virtual messages as cheap or uncaring, I believe that the people who send them are merely using the current technology to convey their feelings. If people did not use modern technology for love notes, we would all have stacks of stone tablets or papyrus scrolls from our sweetheart stacked in the closet.

The only difference between virtual messages and greeting cards is that you need a jump drive to store them instead of a cardboard box or hope chest.

I would rather receive a touching e-mail that was written just for me than open a card that thousands of other people are also receiving. Personal messages are just more…..well…..personal.

Hallmark, your days are numbered. The Me-generation may be greedy, but they have definitely got the right idea about romance.

Bill Gates, Be a Hero

2007-02-06T09:10:00.000-08:00

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates has funneled millions of dollars into education programs across the world through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. A noble gesture, indeed.

On Monday, however, Gates was challenged to do the unthinkable by former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev who asked Gates to help a Russian teacher who has been accused of using pirated Microsoft software in his classroom.

This is truly a water shed moment in his remarkable life. Will Uncle Bill be the benevolent philanthropist or the greedy business man?

I certainly hope that Bill chooses the benevolent philanthropist role. His actions for improving education and helping the poor are well documented and are quite staggering when you consider how much money he has personally donated to improving the world.

According to the Fact Sheet on the foundation’s Web site, Gates has endowed $31 billion so far, with more than $11 billion already committed to use. Much of this money has been used to fund a wide variety of educational programs.

In this case, I believe that Bill should intercede on the teacher’s behalf. Yes, what he was doing wasn’t legal. But he was using the software to further the education of children, which is one of the primary philanthropic focuses of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and of Microsoft itself.

To pursue action against this teacher would contradict everything that these two organizations so highly promote.

Uncle Bill, this situation gives you the opportunity to improve the world for a large number of children. Make yourself the hero and save this teacher from prosecution. At the press conference, be sure to surround yourself with the smiling children when you announce that you are going to fill the school with brand new computer equipment and legally licensed software so that this doesn’t happen again.

A noble gesture, indeed.

Lawmakers Ban Technology

2007-02-02T09:21:00.000-08:00

The ever present lobbyist scourge in our government has apparently added technology to the heavy-handed wheeling and dealing arsenal of tricks that they use to swing lawmakers’ votes to their cause.

The Maine House of Representatives is fighting back, however, as representatives contemplate a rule that would ban text messages and e-mails to lawmakers while they are in session.

Maine is not alone.

According to a recent Associated Press story, “More than 30 states have in some fashion restricted the use of electronic devices, such as pagers, cell phones and desktop printers in legislatures, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.”

I’m not surprised that technology has infiltrated our government to this degree. In fact, I’m actually happy that our leaders have embraced technology because it will hopefully allow them to craft technology-based legislation that makes sense.

The one thing that does frighten me is that it appears as though lawmakers’ are willing to keep their vote up for grabs until the minute they cast their ballot.

Instead of blaming technology for the problem, perhaps we should expect our lawmakers to base their decisions on the needs of their constituents and not on the whims of lobbyists who voice their opinions through a virtual messenger.

I would like to think that we have elected lawmakers with a high degree of moral turpitude. Apparently that’s not always the case.

Perhaps we should send them a text message and voice our opinion before they ban the electronics from their hallowed halls.

Energy Conscious Computer Usage

2007-02-01T07:01:00.000-08:00

A California lawmaker recently made news with his plan to ban the use of traditional incandescent light bulbs in the state by 2012. He believes that these inefficient bulbs waste energy and contribute to the greenhouse gasses that are blamed for global warming.

He’s right.

Compact fluorescent light bulbs use 25 percent less energy than their incandescent elders. Not only do fluorescent bulbs use less energy, they can also save you between $40 and $55 per bulb during their lifespan.

As I read the story on-line, I began to think about how much energy my computer wastes while it’s not in use. Despite being a heavy computer user, each of my desktop computers is generally idle for more than 15 hours per day.

Even with the power save features enabled, there is still quite a bit of time where the PC and monitor are running and not being used. And, don’t forget about those peripherals such as printers, speakers and scanners that may run continuously while they suck up energy and inflate your monthly electric bill.

According to the Energy Star Web site, Energy Star-labeled computers are required to power down to 15 percent of their maximum power use by their power save features. Power hungry monitors are required “to power down to 15 watts or less after 15 to 30 minutes of inactivity and down to 8 watts after 70 minutes of activity. A new ENERGY STAR specification for monitors that goes into effect on January 1, 2005 requires that the monitor only draw 4 watts or less in sleep mode. By January 1, 2006, the sleep mode is 2 watts or less.”

While we go through our house and upgrade light bulbs in an effort to conserve energy, lower our monthly bills, and reduce greenhouse gases, I believe that we should also begin to think of how to more efficiently use our computer equipment.

In order to do my part, I am going to try and implement the following changes in my household and at work. Hopefully you will also consider to follow some of these ideas.

Turn off computer equipment when it is not in use.

Ensure that power save features are enabled so that equipment left running will be more efficient.

Reduce the number of computers in the house. Do we really need four computers?

Recycle all computer and electronic devices.

These few improvements require changing a few habits, but nothing earth shattering. If everyone who owns a computer turns off their computer equipment when it isn’t in use, Ed Begley might not have to turn off as many things when he runs his outdoor water fountain.

Wow! Yeah, right.

2007-01-29T19:19:00.000-08:00

Amazing.

That's the only word that can describe the feeling that I had more than a decade ago when I realized that people were lining up in front of Best Buy to purchase the newly released Windows 95.

Twelve years later I find myself wondering if these same people are standing outside once again anxiously awaiting the latest operating system release from Redmond.

If they are, then they are probably not going to feel the same crush of excitement as midnight approaches because the lines will be much shorter this time around. Despite much fanfare from the folks at Microsoft, the vast majority of people that I know are quite ambivalent about tomorrow's release.

Certainly none of them are going to wait in line at midnight just to be the first uber-geek to take the new OS for a spin. In fact, most of my friends have already been beta testing Vista for several months.

Without a doubt, society has evolved from novice computer users to savvy technofiends who are so technically advanced that a new operating system has become as exciting as turning on a light switch.

I think that there are several reasons for this change in attitude. First of all, our society has more important things to worry about. The world was a much simpler place back in 1995. The Internet era was still in its infancy and Google wasn't even a gleam in the eyes of Sergey Brin or Larry Page. In those days, a high speed Internet connection was a 56k modem.

Now, you can purchase Vista on-line and download the operating system directly to your computer. There simply isn't any reason for uber-geeks to stand outside in the frigid Wisconsin winter.

I think that the primary reason for this change, however, is that society has become so overloaded with technology that a new operating system is not really all that exciting. Granted, Windows Vista appears to contain a wonderful user interface and some fairly solid functionality, but on the whole it doesn't really do that much more for the average computer user than Windows XP.

Almost everyone I know is more excited with advances in cool technology such as the iPhone, the Blackjack, the Wii, and the iPod. In fact, many of my friends have recently gone to the dark side and jumped on the Apple bandwagon.

A new Microsoft operating system just doesn't have the excietment that it used to have. The changes that accompany Vist are revolutionary in some respects, but they just aren't as jaw dropping as when we moved from Windows 3.1 to Windows 95.

As I've just seen on the news, there is a small group of stalwarts standing outside waiting for midnight. I commend those hearty souls for braving the frigid Wisconsin winter, but this time around I'm even more amazed that anyone would stand in line at midnight just to buy a new operating system.

Sorry Microsoft. There just isn't a Wow factor this time around.

Amazing.

A Novel Idea

2007-01-26T20:13:00.000-08:00

Move over Stephen King, technology has made your legendary writing skills obsolete.

Finnish author Hannu Luntiala recently published a 332 page novel that consists of nothing but text messages. At first glance, I was appalled that someone would publish a novel of text messages. Call me old fashioned, but writing, storytelling and grammar matter to me.

However, upon reflection, I believe that there is definitely a place for this type of book in the literary world. Instead of thinking of the traditional novel, this edgy and fresh type of story is basically a technology based diary.

While I would never want to see the breathtaking skills of someone like Stephen King or John Grisham replaced by a text message novel, I do believe that there is a place for both on my bookshelf.

Sports Mirror Technology

2007-01-23T06:17:00.000-08:00

Watching the NFL playoffs this weekend, I was struck by the similarity between sports and technology.

All sports fans have favorite teams, and very rarely do those allegiances ever change. Packer fans are usually Packer fans for life, and as such they generally despise rivals such as the Vikings and the Bears.

The same rivalries can be seen in technology. For example, Linux fanatics often eschew Windows with the same vigor as Packer fans lamenting the Bears’ recent Super Bowl berth. Fans of Windows, however, view Linux as an operating system aberration in much the same manner as the Bears getting to the Super Bowl.

The impending release of Windows Vista will present another similarity between sports and technology. Windows XP, currently the most widely used personal computer operating system, will soon be derided as legacy technology and be relegated to clearance shelves and the history books.

As the New England Patriots recently found out, today’s darling can quickly become tomorrow’s goat. With new technology being developed on an almost daily basis, the world of technology is full of gadgets and gear whose gotta-have-it lifespan lasted mere weeks.

In sports and technology, dynasties are rarely built. The Packers suffered through 30 years of misery before resurrecting themselves for a ten year run of success. It’s nearly impossible for teams at the top to stay there permanently. It just doesn’t happen.

While the business world does have it’s perennial winners such as Microsoft and Intel, one only has to look as far as IBM to see that the technology world is chock full of organizations that were put out of business or gobbled up by their competitors.

If sports can be considered ultra-competitive, the cut-throat business world of technology run by uber-geeks and highly paid CEOs could make even a frightening linebacker like Brian Urlacher run for the hills with his tail between his legs.

As we watch the Super Bowl and cheer for our favorite team while jeering their opponent, just remember that before long both teams may be as popular as a Pentium 3 or an iPod-mini.

Fractals Show Math is Beautiful

2007-01-05T05:46:00.000-08:00

Math is art, or so some people say. Personally, I'd rather put pen to paper than solve for the elusive x.

However, even algebraphobics like myself can appreciate the breathtaking beauty of the images that can be created using the mathematical functions provided by a free fractal generator such as Apophysis.

Fractals are images that are created using various mathematical coordinates and formulas. Although it takes quite a bit of practice to design gorgeous fractals such as those found in this TechRepublic gallery, just about anyone can learn how to create their own beautiful fractal images.

Artists looking to expand their repertoire and uber-geeks with no artistic ability will all appreciate the relative ease with which you can create amazing images that can be used in a variety of ways.

I use fractals on my computer desktop, but have been tempted to print and frame some of the ones that I've seen or created. They are that good, in my humble opinion.

Atari Flashback Family Time

2007-01-01T12:26:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!!

Those of us who grew up in the 1980s have fond memories of first generation video game consoles such as the classic Atari 2600.

These gaming consoles lacked the slick graphics and adrennaline pumping game scenarios as modern video games, but they were fun to play and provided our families with hours of fun.

And therein lies the big difference between today's modern video games and those classics such as Asteroids or Breakout. The Atari 2600 console games were easy enough to play that virtually anyone could pick up a controller and share in the fun.

Hours of practice and exceptional coordination were not prerequisites for the Atari 2600.

Since most households at that time had only one or two TVs, playing the video game was a family activity. The days of the gaming pro were still a generation away. At that time, games were simply a fun activity for everyone.

Proof of this is shown in the continued popularity of those old Atari games. This morning my eight year old daughter found my wife's Atari Flashback console. We hooked it up and in less than ten minutes we were having a serious Breakout battle.

A little while later her teenage sister and cousin showed up, and within a few minutes they began trying to beat the eight year old at Breakout and Air-Sea Battle. They eventually eclipsed her in Breakout, but two hours later she is still the undisputed Air-Sea Battle champion.

With a modern gaming console, this type of family interraction would be rare. The games require too much practice and knowledge to become proficient. Young children have no hope of mastering these games, and adults just don't have enough time.

Since classic consoles such as the Atari Flashback cost less than a single game for a modern console, buying a classic gaming console will provide hours of fun without putting much of a dent in your pocketbook.

While I would never argue that the Atari 2600 is a better console than an Xbox or PlayStation 3, I believe that the older games are a better family activity than any modern game.

Give one a try. Your family will be glad that you did.

Gift Card Conundrum

2006-12-29T21:52:00.000-08:00

Technology has given us the ability to sling a plastic card at someone and avoid the time consuming and sometimes arduous task of Christmas shopping. How sad.

Like most people, I enjoy receiving gift cards because they allow me to buy the "gift" that I want. Under certain circumstances, however, I believe that giving and receiving actual gifts provides more pleasant holiday memories than an impersonal piece of plastic.

Call me old fashioned, but when I look under the tree on Christmas morning, I don't want to see a collection of envelopes staring back at me. I want my pictures to show a large collection of nicely wrapped presents with colorful bows and ribbons.

When buying for close friends or family members, I believe that you should take the time to determine what the person wants and then go buy it for them. Under these circumstances, buying a gift card is just lazy shopping.

Despite my partial disdain for gift cards, they have become a wildly popular gift. According to a recent study by the Tower Group, gift card sales for the 2006 holiday season are expected to eclipse $80 billion. This is a 20 percent increase over 2005 holiday sales.

This year, my son asked for an iPod. After a visit to the Apple store to determine which model he wanted, my wife and I decided to skip the gift card and buy the iPod so that he could have the excitement of opening the package on Christmas.

Even though he knew what was underneath the wrapping paper, my son was quite excited when he opened the package and saw the iPod. We were able to open the box right away and spent quite a bit of time fawning over the sleek new device.

Had my wife and I took the easy way out and just purchased a gift card, Christmas day wouldn't have been the same. We would have all missed out on the memories of spending the time ooh-ing and ahh-ing over his new geeky gadget.

I think that gift cards are quite useful when shopping for people that you don't know very well or who don't live close to you.

To make the holiday season truly memorable for yourself and those you love, take the time to visit the mall or your favorite on-line retailers so that your Christmas tree is surrounded with packages.

If you do, I'm certain that the memories of opening gifts on Christmas day will be ones that you treasure for a lifetime.

E-Quran an Odd Step for Intel

2006-12-19T13:08:00.000-08:00

Intel recently stated that they are partnering with two Saudi Arabian software companies to develop a device, called the E-Quran, which will do little more than play a recorded version of the Islamic holy book.

While I am glad to hear than an electronic version of the Quran is being created, I wonder why semiconductor titan Intel is making this foray into the world of dedicated portable devices. It seems to me that a professionally designed podcast or audio file that could be played on a variety of platforms would be a more efficient means of distributing the holy book.

With companies such as Microsoft trying to grab market share in the lucrative mp3 player market, a dedicated device like the E-Quran seems like a step backwards towards the ill-fated e-book phenomenon that never materialized.

Computer users and uber-geeks quickly realized that reading an electronic document is much cheaper if you use a device that you already own, such as a computer.

The same can be said for an audio recording. Mp3 players abound, and in the already crowded field a dedicated device that plays one collection of files seems incredibly outdated.

Intel should have partnered with Apple, or another mp3 player manufacturer, to distribute their devices and then made available a recorded version of the Quran that could be played on any platform.

Snow Robot

2006-12-04T18:46:00.000-08:00

This weekend folks in the Midwest received our first measurable snowfall of the season. In Milwaukee we have about 10 inches on the ground, which has brought back memories of when I was younger and we actually had this much snow on a regular basis.

For some reason, my ancient relic decided to take the day off after teasing me a few weeks earlier when it's throaty roar filled my garage. After reliving my youth by wielding a shovel to clear my 160 feet of sidewalk, I began to wonder if there was an easier way to get rid of the snow.

I've been looking at robot vacuum cleaners recently, and while I sat on my couch waiting for the Advil to kick in I started wondering if someone had engineered a robotic snow blower. I Googled a number of search terms, but couldn't find anything resembling a robotic snow removal machine.

Starting at just $149, The iRobot corporation has designed an impressive collection of home and industrial robots that clean carpets and floors. Helpful, but not exactly what I had in mind.

Insipired by visions of R2-D2 and Rosey on the Jetsons, I began wondering why nobody has attempted to design a robotic snow removal device. Certain issues such as temperature, water, and traction crossed my mind, but none of these obstacles seemed to be difficult to overcome.

While I may be in the minority at this point, I'm hoping that others may begin talking about a snow removal robot. I'm sure that this type of device will be readily accepted in most areas where regular snowfall is possible.

I would be willing to pony up a few hundred of my hard earned dollars for one if it would prevent snow shoveling flashbacks from becoming recent memories once again.

Red Monday

2006-11-24T16:31:00.000-08:00

Is there a better way to work off the Thanksgiving binge than by purging your pocketbook in a cafeine induced shopping frenzy? It appears there is.

For those of you who haven't heard of this new retail savior, Cyber Monday is the first Monday after the Thanksgiving holiday weekend when employees return to work and their employer's high-speed Internet connections.

On that magical shopping day, retailers will be offering discounts and sales on their Web sites that eclipse even those unbeatable deals that consumers gobble up on Black Friday. It's a virtual shoppers paradise.

While shoppers are filling up their virtual shopping cart, employers are wringing their hands and delcaring the day Red Monday.

Although Red Monday lacks the sheer exhilaration of running from store to store on Black Friday, avoiding the company proxy server and other corporate shackles can provide a small surge of adrenaline for even the most addicted work-surfer.

Despite their productivity losses, employers should take heart because Red Monday will provide them with the most motivated staff they will ever have.

PS3 and the New Alpha Uber-Geek

2006-11-16T09:21:00.000-08:00

Grab your blankets and long johns. It’s time to relive the glory days of your youth and camp out to wait for tick…er…um…your chance at a shiny new Play Station 3.

According to Sony, 400,000 lucky souls will win the game console lottery on Friday and be able to wrap their frozen fingers around a shiny new console. What they do with their geeky prize is a matter of genetics and breeding.

The old school alpha uber-geek will take their new Play Station 3 home and feed their caffeine fueled gaming addiction until they conquer or collapse. They will, of course, assert their dominance in the species by inviting all of their wannabe uber-geek friends to join in the frenzy and drool over the new console.

But an amazing thing has happened since the arrival of the Xbox 360 a year ago.

The alpha uber-geek has evolved, and their superior intelligence has lead the more advanced members of the species to realize that there is more to life than having the coolest toys. There is money to be made!

This new form of alpha uber-geek has realized that capitalism is good.

Those who resist the temptation to tear through the shrink wrap and instead use their trembling fingers to launch an eBay auction will reap bigger rewards than those who give in to their addiction.

The profits made by feeding on the weakness of others can be used to fuel a need more primitive to the new alpha uber-geek than having the latest gadgets.

The newly evolved multi-dimensional alpha uber-geek prides themselves on their cerebral achievements, not just technological wizardry.

While not having the latest gaming console may wound the alpha uber-geek’s pride, they will smile broadly knowing that they have asserted their dominance by using their new found intelligence to distance themselves from the weaker members of the species.

Internet TV Following Porn's Business Model

2006-11-13T16:44:00.000-08:00

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. At least that's what Internet TV company LX.TV Lifestyle Television believes as it turns to the Internet for their movie distribution platform.

To be successful, LX.TV must follow a proven business model for distributing content via the Internet.

Moral issues aside, the porn industry's business model has a proven track record that some experts claim rivals Hollywood. The industry has used the Internet for years to build a reputed $12.6 billion in annual profits.

From a business standpoint, following the porn industry's example makes perfect sense.

People of all ages are quickly turning to the Internet for their multimedia needs. Porn Web sites and other multimedia related sites, such as YouTube.com, illustrate how on-line television style content can generate substantial profits.

Computers are a staple in many modern home theater systems and provide TV connectivity and other movie related functions that used to be provided by a variety of other devices.

It's plain to see that the computer is quickly replacing standard TV equipment as it becomes an integral part of our entertainment gear.

That being said, it's obvious that in order to succeed in a modern industry an emerging company such as LX.TV should follow a proven business model as it leads the charge towards content produced soley for the Internet.

Despite moral objections to the content, one thing that almost everyone agree on is that the porn industry is very successful.

Although the content will sometimes be less offensive, the same production and delivery systems can be employed by Internet based TV companies to build their business. It's a proven method that should be followed.

Applications to Go

2006-11-09T18:42:00.000-08:00

If you can remember when the Apple IIe was all the rage, then you probably remember carrying around all of those floppy disks stuffed with your applications. Instead of installing your apps on the system, you simply carried them with you from computer to computer. Ah, the good old days.

If you long for those days, then you'll be happy to hear that this concept has returned. No, you won't have to lug a box of unfloppy disks around with you everywhere you go. However, for certain applications you may have a jump drive or two in your pocket.

I've thought about this concept for awhile and think that in certain situations it has merit. Running an application off of a jump drive is faster than using a hard drive, and the portability factor makes this idea logical.

Vonage agrees. The Internet phone company has recently released a jump drive pre-loaded with software that will turn any PC or laptop into an Internet phone. Unlike Skype, no software installation is required.

To use the Vonage V-Phone, simply plug the drive into a USB port, plug the earpiece microphone into the side of the V-Phone, and launch the application. Voila, you're computer is now a telephone. Slick.

I believe that this is the beginning of a trend where specialized applications will be stored on jump drives. The portability and ease of use are advantages that vendors will exploit once they realize how useful this concept can be.

Retinal Scan Voting

2006-11-06T08:30:00.000-08:00

In less than 24 hours I will wield a dull number 2 pencil and hopefully make sweeping changes throughout our government.

Despite amazing changes in technology in the 20 years since I cast my first ballot, the pencil still remains the weapon of choice for voters in Wisconsin. In that same timeframe Microsoft has released more versions of Windows than we have had presidents.

If Microsoft had advanced at the same pace as voting technology, uber-geeks would still play silly pager games and the mouse, the Start menu and the USB port would be considered cutting edge.

But alas, technology has finally gotten to the point where we can reliably use it for elections. Biometric scanners could provide a nearly foolproof method for ensuring that one-person-one-vote becomes reality.

Fingerprint recognition or retinal scans may sound like something from a sci-fi movie, but they are being used safely and reliably in a wide variety of applications that require high security.

Could these methods be circumvented? Sure, everything has the potential for infiltration and fraud. But I think that we’d be fairly safe until someone figures out how to borrow somebody’s fingerprints or retinal patterns.

Impractical? I don’t think so. These same technologies could be used by the state motor vehicle departments to help eliminate fraudulent drivers licenses, state ID cards and a host of other identification related issues.

Building the database of biometric data could be a stumbling block, but not one that is impossible to overcome. A little ingenuity could provide a variety of methods for collecting the information and ensuring that nobody is disenfranchised.

In a time where leadership is so important, it’s time for someone to step to the head of the line and present a bold initiative like this to ensure that our elections will no longer be as reliable as a candidates campaign slogan.

The time has come to retire the pencil and embrace the retinal scan.

The Evolution of the Uber-geek

2006-10-23T18:45:00.000-07:00

In just three generations we have seen the world go from analog to digital as the uber-geek species has evolved. By Darwinian standards, the evolution of the uber-geek has been rapid.

One indication that you are in the presence of a member of this new species is their compulsive need to sport the latest technology in visible locations on their body.

One has to wonder if this is an inbred trait of the species to determine the alpha uber-geek. Examining the evolotion of the uber-geek species will show us how the alpha uber-geek asserts their superiority.

Late in the twentieth century man invented the pager. All of the uber-geeks had one, and if you didn't you just weren't hip. It's amazing how much envy a small vibrating black box can generate. At this point in time, however, the alpha uber-geek was difficult to find.

Soon after came the portable phone. When you could find a signal, which was difficult in those days, you instantly became the alpha uber-geek as you carried on a conversation using the bulky walkie-talkie size device while walking through the mall.

Next came the Batman belt that let uber-geeks show off their pager, cell phone, PDA, and other assorted gadgets. Although rare these days, with a little patience you can still have an occasional sighting. Whenever I see one I wonder if the wannabe super hero is trying to compensate for his failure at becoming the alpha uber-geek.

Thank goodness for convergence. Those with several devices pulling their pants down are now considered dinosaurs. Today's uber-geeks are all about one tiny device that does it all. Size does matter, it seems, especially those who want to be the alpha uber-geek.

The latest fad for the alpha uber-geek wannabe appears to be wearing clunky wireless earpieces for the cell phone. There is little doubt that they are handy, but they remind me of an episode of Star Trek that I've been trying to forget for most of my adult life.

Since size is apparently such an issue these days, I'm surprised that the earpieces are so large. Perhaps uber-geeks need big things that they can show off if the actual tool is a tiny device that's hidden in their pocket.

The evolution of the uber-geek has been enjoyable to watch. Their need for the latest technology has driven the industry to new heights as uber-geeks clambered for more advanced technology in their pursuit of becoming the alpha uber-geek.

Unfortunately, this has led to a plethora of wannabe alpha uber-geeks who have adopted the show-off-your-technology trait. But, true to form, the true alpha uber-geek has evolved and become a more covert member of the species.

Nowadays, the true alpha uber-geek has the self-confidence to keep their technology under wraps until it's time to whip it out and show off their skills. With advanced knowledge arcane features of every technological device known to man, the alpha uber-geek quickly asserts their superiority and everyone in the area knows that they are in the presence of a superior being.

Say it Ain't So

2006-10-19T18:25:00.000-07:00

Computer manufacturers and video game companies are rejoicing with the recent decision to start banning activities such as tag and dodgeball from gradeschool playgrounds in Maine. With all of that free time on their hands, kids are going to be clamboring for the only thing left for them to play: video games.

With obesity being recognized as a national epidemic, the absurdity of banning childhood games that encourage physical activity is obvious. Restricted to only those activities that reduce libability, the only exercise that children will get during the school day will be with their hands on a keyboard or game controller.

Thankfully, interactive gaming makes it possible for children to play with each other on the playground. The only difference is that they will use laptops and handheld video game systems to play their games. Let the calorie burning begin.

Instead of scraping knees and elbows, children will soon be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome and "Blackberry thumb." The bean counters at the insurance companies must be warming up their adding machines to calculate all of the money they'll be saving.

Santa and the elves are definitely not happy with the timing of this decision. Children are quickly revising their lists, which is wreaking havoc with the acquisition of gifts and the weight distribution in the sleigh. At least the elves will get some exercise this year.

Computers and video games are wonderful things. I love using them as much as anyone else. Using them for enjoyment, however, should not preclude regular physical activity. It's just not healthy.

A fifth grader using WebMD and a little common sense can figure out that the risks of obesity far outweigh the danger of a few scrapes and bruises. It's too bad that the adults making this decision can't do the same.

Pass on Technology Skills

2006-10-15T17:49:00.000-07:00

This afternoon I was at a school function with my wife and daughter. As we were walking down the hall I noticed one of the kids using a cell phone to text message someone. What surprised me is that she was only in the third grade.

I suppose that a child of 8 or 9 using a cell phone shouldn't surprise me. After all, I started teaching my youngest daughter how to use the computer when she was three.

But seeing a child that young using a cell phone better than many adults made me take a moment to think wonder if teaching young children how to use the available technology in the world today is a positive thing for our society.

Children nowadays have an amazing array of technological gadgets at their disposal. When I was about 8 or 9, I can remember spending hours in front of my friends TV playing the video game Pong. That was the most amazing thing that we'd ever seen at that point in our young lives.

Today, children think that many of the following gadgets or technologies are as common as fire or the wheel:

Cell Phone
Portable DVD player and TV in cars
iPod
Xbox or PlayStation
Play Station Portable (PSP)
Wireless networking
Digital cameras (what's film?)
Laptop computers

Even a technology buff like me can sometimes feel as though I'm struggling to keep up with my teenage children. Technology has infested our society, and in most cases I think that it's a good thing.

While seeing a young child text messaging someone on a cell phone surprised me, I believe that teaching children how to use technology is important. In the case of the child I saw this afternoon, she could use her cell phone to get a ride or call someone if she is in trouble.

I'm not alone in this opinion. Firefly Mobile provides stripped down cell phones for children. Although the plans are not the most economical, I think that this company provides a good indication of how technology can be put to good use.

Can technology be overused, especially by children? Sure. Like everything else, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. But overall, I believe that teaching our children how to use technology is a very important part of their education.

2006-10-12T17:59:00.000-07:00

It's October 12 and Milwaukee had its first snowfall of the season today. Personally, I like seeing the snow fly early. No, I don't enjoy the cold or look forward to firing up the snow blower.

I'm happy because now the Christmas ads don't seem so out of place in 70s and sun. And now that I'm starting to get into the holiday season, it's time to start thinking about what I want for Christmas.

Thanks to Microsoft and the delays with Windows Vista, one thing that I can put right at the top of my list is a shining new PC. Yes, you read that right. I'm happy that Windows Vista is delayed until January. Actually, I'm thrilled with the timing of this delay.

No, I don't wish Uncle Bill or Microsoft any ill will. In fact, this year I'd like to send them a great big thank you card. So should you.

This holiday season computer prices for new systems will drop drastically as retailers try to get rid of their stock of XP systems in order to make room for new Vista laden machines in January. This means that we should all be able to get some fantastic deals on a new computer system this year. I, for one, can't wait!

So, as we make our list and check it twice, here are the things that we should ask Santa and the elves to install in the new computer that's under the tree on Christmas morning.

A lightning fast 3 GHz processor
At least 1 GB of RAM
A DirectX 9 video adapter that supports WDDM, has at least 128 MB of RAM, pixel shader 2.0 and 32 bits per pixel

Happy computing!