As much as I am a PC/Windows guy and not a fan of Apple at all (git yer mitts off my iPod though!), I follow Steve Jobs and his apparent health issues. I'm not going to bother speculating, but regardless of the situation, I do hope it is something that he can battle through.
I'd be the first to admit that probably Apple has driven innovation in our industry, probably much more aggressively than Microsoft has, and I'm certain that Mr. Jobs is the main reason behind this, the visionary force, if you will (ed. knock off with all of the commas, they, are, annoying!).
I'll probably always be more of a PC guy as opposed to anything fruity, but I'll give Apple their props and must have that must go to Mr. Jobs.
As with all of us, we have a limited time on this earth and I wish for him and his family, all the joy, love and laughter in whatever time they have together.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Technology In Athletics
Wow - too cool.
In Tokyo today, there was a 26m marathon. The third place winner was an amateur, but this is where this story gets...bizarre?...intriguing?...innovative?
Yuki Kawauchi is just a regular Joe Shmo who decided to run the marathon.
What makes this story remarkable is that he ran it with 4 iPhones and 1 iPad strapped two him as he broadcast live. One iPhone was pointed at the ground, one at his face as his ran, one was a GPS and he had an iPad strapped onto him so he could communicate and tweet with his followers.
How wonderfully odd and unique. What doors will this open in up in terms of (virtually) being part of an athletic endeavour?
I'm intrigued - to say the least - to see what doors this might open up.
Yuki Kawauchi is just a regular Joe Shmo who decided to run the marathon.
What makes this story remarkable is that he ran it with 4 iPhones and 1 iPad strapped two him as he broadcast live. One iPhone was pointed at the ground, one at his face as his ran, one was a GPS and he had an iPad strapped onto him so he could communicate and tweet with his followers.
How wonderfully odd and unique. What doors will this open in up in terms of (virtually) being part of an athletic endeavour?
I'm intrigued - to say the least - to see what doors this might open up.
Electronic Armageddon
As many who might read this blog (yes, both of you! lol), it continues to amaze and worry me how dependent on technology. I've often wondered to myself what happens to our society if we have a partial complete electronic blackout. This thought has gone through my mind so much that I've contemplated writing a fictional story about this.
In the news recently is an article from some scientists who claim that it's only a matter of time before a significant solar storm occurs on the sun, one big enough to significantly disrupt our communications systems.
I wonder if people realize how much we rely on technology. As I've mentioned in previous blog entries, I'm sure that we'd adapt, that's what us humans do, but I think that when this does happen, the impact will be beyond immense.
In the news recently is an article from some scientists who claim that it's only a matter of time before a significant solar storm occurs on the sun, one big enough to significantly disrupt our communications systems.
I wonder if people realize how much we rely on technology. As I've mentioned in previous blog entries, I'm sure that we'd adapt, that's what us humans do, but I think that when this does happen, the impact will be beyond immense.
The New Tech Way - and the Old Tech Way
I had to laugh about a story in the papers recently. Newly acquired Leafs player Joffrey Lupul lost his iPhone in a cab. Not sure what to do about it, he tweeted about his dilemma. To his amazement, within a few hours, not only was his iPhone located, but it was duly returned. What an amazing use of technology! Can you imagine being able to use this hi-tech wizardry for something like this?
The funny part to me is how it was found. One of his followers simply picked up the phone and called the cab company in question. iPhone found. I wonder if Mr. Lupul realizes that he could have done this himself.
The funny part to me is how it was found. One of his followers simply picked up the phone and called the cab company in question. iPhone found. I wonder if Mr. Lupul realizes that he could have done this himself.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Scammers 101
I wish that I could find the article in The Toronto Star today, but apparently, there's a website offering insurance who are allegedly scamming potential customers by getting them to send them the application fee by Western Union, when there is fact no policy for said customer.
The article went on to say that the website was still up, so out of curiousity, I checked and sure enough it was.
However, the FIRST thing I noticed which would have clued me in right away that this at least warranted further investigation was that there was a banner on the bottom of the website saying that the website was being hosted by a printing company. Now - don't get me wrong, this printing company is very reputable as far as I know but when I clicked on the site, it showed me that they offered free web hosting. "Great Caeser's Ghost!", I said to me, "How reputable can an insurance company be who has to depend on free web hosting?".
My advice is this...never fork out any money to any site online without doing your own due dilegence, it's FAR too easy to put up a website. Look beyond the glitz and the flash. Looks to see if the have their own https: site for secure transactions...check for brick and mortar addresses, not just some random phone number.
Bottom line - be careful out there - don't assume that any company is legitimate without looking at the signs.
The article went on to say that the website was still up, so out of curiousity, I checked and sure enough it was.
However, the FIRST thing I noticed which would have clued me in right away that this at least warranted further investigation was that there was a banner on the bottom of the website saying that the website was being hosted by a printing company. Now - don't get me wrong, this printing company is very reputable as far as I know but when I clicked on the site, it showed me that they offered free web hosting. "Great Caeser's Ghost!", I said to me, "How reputable can an insurance company be who has to depend on free web hosting?".
My advice is this...never fork out any money to any site online without doing your own due dilegence, it's FAR too easy to put up a website. Look beyond the glitz and the flash. Looks to see if the have their own https: site for secure transactions...check for brick and mortar addresses, not just some random phone number.
Bottom line - be careful out there - don't assume that any company is legitimate without looking at the signs.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Blogging & Hits - What I Just Don't Get
Apparently, my #2 related blog is from the summer, and I see nothing extraordinary about it. For the life of me, I can't figure out why that particular blog gets consistent hits - all the time - and others don't. At first I thought that maybe there was a link to it from some other website, but that's not it, there's no referring site.
Go figure - how mysterious!
Go figure - how mysterious!
Pedestrian Dangers?
I'll admit that there are many times when I'll be walking and texting at the same time. However, when doing so, I do try to remain aware of surroundings at least. A 10 year old Italian boy fell onto the subway tracks while totally absorbed by his PSP. Thankfully, he's okay.
Recently, there has been a viral video on YouTube where some poor chick was texting as she was walking through the mall. Totally oblivious to the fact that there was a raised edge around the water fountain. Dunk city.
Although to an extent these may be seen as things to derive a good laugh out of, it's a dangerous combination and I'm sure that we'll get more and more reports of this sort of thing happening, sometimes with tragic consequences.
Recently, there has been a viral video on YouTube where some poor chick was texting as she was walking through the mall. Totally oblivious to the fact that there was a raised edge around the water fountain. Dunk city.
Although to an extent these may be seen as things to derive a good laugh out of, it's a dangerous combination and I'm sure that we'll get more and more reports of this sort of thing happening, sometimes with tragic consequences.
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