Frigid Geek

I’ve digested as much CES coverage that I can handle, but one thing really stands out at me; MIDs. They’re small, cheap devices usually running a small version of Linux. Here’s why I’ll be buying one as soon as I can:

• Their price makes it ideal for school. Pair a bluetooth keyboard with this thing and it will be great for class (taking notes, looking up stuff).
• Their size is around that of a thicker PSP, so it will replace my iPod in the process
• The form factor is great!
• Having the OS designed for these devices was a great move. This makes them great at things they do: browse the web, check email, and a slew of other small tasks
• Something like this is great to take with you. I would take it camping to watch a video with, to school to take notes/reference the web, and check email and browse the web when I normally wouldn’t take a computer with me.

Anyone else planning on buying one of these devices? Why/why not?

To bad there’s still about six months to wait…

Ever wish you just had a online version of sticky notes?

Ever wish you could have your own, personal twitter for remembering little details?

Well, now there is a solution! The great guys at lesseverything.com have come up with a great new “7 hour product” called Less Memories. Featuring crazy fast load speeds due to its simple design, and seamless IM integration, Less Memories has become my newest favorite tool on the web! It’s not as goofy as it sounds, and it’s a really useful tool. Now I won’t be loosing my important data when I forget to save a random notepad document…

Can’t wait to see what these guys come up with next.

I read an article the other day that Gawker began to further increase its “traffic salary” system. This old article, which details the situation quite well, explains the trouble.

Here are a few reasons why I can’t stand it:

• They split up their interviews so they get more press with every post
• They’re doing their best to constantly be on Digg, which is very annoying
• Their recent CES stunt, turning off walls of TVs, included turning off a television during a guy’s presentation. That’s just cruel, and I hope that they get some consequences from the event. Hopefully they’ll get banned from CES next year, but that’s only if we’re lucky.

Every few weeks there is some controversial story about Gawker Media, and I really can’t beleive they get the hits that they do. Their way of getting paid forces their bloggers to make outrageous content, which attract more headlines for them.

If only they were as good as Weblogs Inc….

Sorry Gawker, but you will always be #2 in my book!

Here’s the dog and I on a walk on a beautiful Alaskan day. We went for a quick stroll over to the nearby elementary school. In case you were wondering, her name is Sugar and she’s the best Samoyed you’ll ever meet!

Redbox is a really neat idea that puts a video rental and dropoff location at every McDonald’s. It’s a small, user automated booth where consumers can quickly pick out a movie of their choice, and keep it for $1 per day.

In my opinion, Netflix needs to buy Redbox, and here’s why; Redbox already did all the hard work. The infrastructure is already in place, and the deal with McDonald’s is already made. With Redbox, Netflix would essentially be running little “nodes” of its business that hardly need maintenance or restocking. Each one of those Redboxes could be an ad for a netflix service, putting them in front of more eyes. Additionally, it would be another BIG incentive for users to join the service.

Imagine, on your low end plan, that Netflix allows for two Redbox DVDs per month? For me, a non-Netflix subscriber, that would be the final straw needed to join. Plus, each one of those boxes is connected to the internet, so it would have no problem interacting with users que. Wouldn’t it be neat if you got your next DVD on your que there, so it would automatically be removed from your list?

Finally, why not let non-netflix users try out the service with the same $1 per day policy? Just be sure to slip an ad in there. Odds are, they’re paying more for one or two DVDs from that box than the Netflix monthly subscription fee.

Oh, and the Redbox goes great with the Netflix brand. It would fit right in!

Get to it Netflix! Buy Redbox!

I’m no where near educated enough to know the ins and outs of Ruby on Rails/PHP, but Zed Shaw’s rant has some good points about the web industry. His post, which I did not read the entire thing, has one phrase that stands out among the rest:

“Mongrel I couldn’t get a gang of monkeys to rape me, so forget any jobs. Sure people would contact me for their tiny little start-ups, but I’d eventually catch on that they just want to use me to implement their ideas. Their ideas were horrendously lame. I swear if someone says they’re starting a social network I’m gonna beat them with the heal of my shoe.

Then there’s the social network idiots. They all have a social network plus something fucking stupid to sell, but of course no MBA can actually code so they come running to me. However, there’s a slight problem. You see, I have a business degree you cock suckers. If you tell me that your social network will take on facebook because it includes baby pictures then I’m going to laugh in your face. They are an established player with CIA backing. You won’t wipe them out.“

I don’t support his wild behavior, but I understand his frustration.

I’m certainly a fan of Less Everything’s work, so it’s no surprise I love their new idea. On their blog, they’re reading a book, reviewing it, then sending it to whoever wants it!

What a cool and cleaver idea! Oh, and bonus points for a bunch of wacky and funny photos. Check it out here.

Mashable has a post that really strikes true with me. They comment on how companies are changing their logos to have a “Web 2.0″ look and feel. I couldn’t say it better myself… (from Mashable)

The whole thing is about Xerox (or should I say xerox?), and that they’ve re-branded their company today to reflect … how did they put it? Oh right: “engaging, approachable, technologically savvy and eager to lead in the 21st century.” Perhaps I’m too cynical, or just far too media savvy for my own good, but the logo says to me exactly what they did: they hired Interbrand to make them look like a Web 2.0 company.

Very, very true.

Picture this:

Bunch of uninformed business men… gathered around a round table… and someone walks in with some poster board promising them that “you guys can be cool with the blogs and the ‘hip’ Web ‘two oh’ crowd. Just give us the money, we’ll do all the work! You can’t put a price on cool!”

Ugh. Xerox, you just destroyed your decades old logo brand for someone that belongs in a Microsoft Clipart Library…

I now have sympathy for those blogs that I go to and see that people haven’t posted for a few weeks/months…

I know how you feel!

Also added are some ramblings about the web. Stay tuned!

Marc Orchant, whom I follow rigerously in the blogosphere, suffered a serious heart attack recently. It pains me deeply to see such a bad thing happen to a great guy. His podcast with James Kendrick was one thing that really led me on to tablets, and I’ve always loved their side conversations about things going on in their lives.

My thoughts and prayers are to Marc for a speedy recovery, and with his family so they may have a wonderful holiday season.

We miss you.

(James is posting updates at http://www.jkontherun.com)

This is a little stray from the typical mobile technology post… but I think it’s important to get the message out there.

I hate to sound apocalyptic, but this catchy headline may have some truth behind it. In the era when CEOs getting paid millions are getting pay hikes with their workers picketing out in the cold, it’s no surprise that American business is losing sight of proper wages. Why should a manager be getting paid more than the one behind the counter?

The manager sits at his desk, manages schedules, and takes care of minuscule business issues. Now, the person behind the counter, they’re in charge of encouraging the growth of business. They create the strategic relationships that have the ability to turn customers into fans, and fans into zealots. Just the other day I had a personal experience at Alaska owned and operated “Alaska Wild Berry Products.” They have a few locations around Alaska, and are a major local hit. When I went to go buy a pound of chocolate for early Christmas gifts for some friends in the Lower 48, I was amazed when the guy behind the counter handed me a free chocolate to take with me on the road. “Good luck with the rest of your holiday shopping,” he said. I was completely astounded by his behavior. Now, there’s an example of a guy who’s NOT getting paid $8 an hour and has absolutely no power. He’s getting well compensated with both proper payment and proper freedoms. That chocolate he handed to me won’t be coming out of his paycheck, and his boss won’t be chewing him out for it. It’s about giving the people who interact with customers the real opportunities, and compensating them for it. It’s about turning them into the real marketers.

That concept, is what created American Business and made it unique. It was the foundation for early business in the U.S., and it’s what created a positive shopping experience. Now, striking workers are forced to read about their CEO’s pay hike in the papers. What happened? When did we decide that saving a buck is worth sacrificing our customer’s satisfaction?

Does this mean that we’re at a dead end for American business? Hopefully not. Our free market and our large cooperations refusing to return to this model leave it wide open for competitors and early startups. Now, if our economy can turn itself around, customers will certainly enjoy paying a little extra for a product, business, and attitude that is, and can only be, made in America.

I know that lately posts have died down… With the starting of school and all, I’m just starting to finally get back into my routine. Schedules, time management, and 10th grade are all getting ironed out. I thought, what better way to spend my newly acquired spare time by telling my loyal readers how my Motion LE1600 is helping me out in my school’s brand new seminar program!

Because our seminar program just started this year, things are new, fresh, and constantly changing. Recently, we’ve been averaging about a seminar every week. In these seminars, the entire class gathers to discuss a text, event, or an entire concept. I’m ALWAYS using my tablet during seminar to write things down, plan out my reflection, and help organize my brain. It allows me to draw or map out ideas, as well as quote something someone said and plan out a reply. However, not only does the LE1600 help me have a better seminar, it also allows me to cross check my facts with those on the internet. I’m fortunate enough to go to a school that’s blanketed in WiFi, so checking my facts and having a source to back me up while speaking has proven to be invaluable during seminar.

Finally, although this may sound odd, a tablet has a real “human” touch to it. While we’re all gathered around with our chairs in a circle, having a laptop on the desk to block out my face is clunky, and perhaps even disrespectful. It just feels human for a slate to be flat against the desk, there when I need it, and out of the way while I’m listening or speaking.

Do any readers out there find that using a tablet or a mobile device helps “humanize” their meeting experience? (Other than you James Kendrick! I know you’re out there! We all know you take reams of daily meeting notes…) *plug http://www.jkontherun.com*

Image credit: “Computer Face” cc emilyaugest via Flickr

For my older brother Alex, a college hockey player at Eastern Washington, going back to college is something to look forward to. Even though we are complete opposites (hockey player vs. computer geek), we’re very close and find common ground on many hobbies.

Naturally, I was quick to help him out with a decision about which laptop to buy when he went off to college last year. There is no way I could emotionally allow myself to NOT get him a tablet. So, I made the right decision, and I bought him a Gateway CX 14″ widescreen tablet. I’ve long loved this model of tablet, partly due to its sturdiness, reliability, and popularity. As a past owner and long time “recommender” of this tablet, I knew well that it would stand the test of college. It was no surprise to me when he came home from his first year of college this summer with the machine in full working order showing little signs of wear and tear.

However, it doesn’t end there! His roommate and long time family friend Logan had his fair share of bad luck. Just a few weeks ago, his ho-hum Toshiba laptop flew off the kitchen counter and smacked onto the tile floor after someone tripped over the power cord. This left the machine in horrible shape, but luckily I was able to salvage all the data off his hard drive. When it came time for a new laptop for him, we both agreed on a Gateway CX as well. He had loved Alex’s and he was jealous of its long (usually 4 hour) battery life.

Even though Alex doesn’t use the tablet to its full potential (and I doubt Logan will either), Alex often comments about it over the phone or on instant messenger. It’s frequent I’ll get a “hey, I used the write-on-the-screen-thingy the other day, it was really handy and I’m glad I had it.” Every time I hear that it puts a little smile on my face. It’s still good to see these things being used for one of their main design purposes.

Despite getting the ocassional older brother heckle from Alex because he has the Centrino model and I got Logan got the newer, much faster, DualCor, it was certainly worth it!

Here’s to a new pair of tablet roommates and hopes that it won’t go flying off the counter top!

This is more of a question for the readers, and for me to further demonstrate how a highschooler may collect information. With todays advertising and limited domain names, there are plenty of clever product names with websites that are easy to forget.

Often times, I take pictures of things I need to reference. If I see a banner of a website I want to go to, I’ll take a photo of it via my camera phone.

How about you guys? Do you use your camera phone for a productivity tool or just for the occasional “friends pic?”

I certainly think the camera phone is a productivity tool just waiting to be taken advantage of.

There’s no doubt that the iPhone is everywhere, it’s in the press, it’s in the blogs, and it’s physically in the USA. Well, some of it.

Believe it or not, there are no national carriers in Alaska, just small misc. cell phone companies, the biggest and best of the worst being Cellular One. Their GSM network is subpar at best, and their phones are even worse. Alas, that’s another story. Basically, this all translates to no iPhone for Alaska.

People were sad, depressed, and our local paper, the Anchorage Daily News, had no clue what they were talking about when it came to technology and they were saying the only way anyone in Alaska could physically touch an iPhone would be to fly down to Seattle, and activate it there. They didn’t even know that the phone itself activated through iTunes, or that you could actually buy one from Apple.com, or Ebay! Big news there…

However, I knew I had to get an iPhone. So, using my web surfing and deal making skills, I was able to nab one for a good price. Luckily, it was already deactivated but it came with a new SIM. That way, I could still use the iPhone features or decide to pop in the new SIM and activate. I played with it for a few days, and then I decided to activate. I knew I could cancel within 30 days, and that was the plan. I didn’t want a long distance number, or a two year contract judging by the fact AT&T will be acquiring Cellular One and will be up here around New Years.

I enjoyed showing the device around town, because I guess I’m the only one in Alaska with an iPhone. My friends were impressed, and it constantly got the “double take” at coffee shops and book stores alike. However, the effect soon wore off and I deactivated the device. Now, it’s just the world’s nicest iPod. I guess it’s worth it, it still gets the double take and I’m hoping that I’ll be able to offload it to another gadget happy Alaskan.

Just to sum up to all Alaskans that are horribly confused, The iPhone works in Alaska! You will however have a long distance number, or if you deactivate, the phone functions won’t work but you will still have a great iPod!