Apparently the FCC is now considering supporting 911 access via text message. Okay, I'm thinking that this is probably not a good idea. Umm, if someone has a cellphone, then frigging dial 9-1-1, don't take a chance with emergency services via text message! Aside from the fact that you just never know if your recipient received the message, I can see an exchange of text message:
Joe: hey
9-1-1: hey waddup
Joe: idk, some1 crshed nto me
9-1-1: r u ok?
Joe: atm
9-1-1: u need mbulanc?
Joe: pls
9-1-1: where r u?
Joe: 401 & 400
9-1-1: e or w?
Joe: w
9-1-1: k - hang tight - omw
Joe: gr8, ty
9-1-1: yw, np, cya
Joe: cu
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Ho-ho-Wholly Straddling the High Tech World
Date: December 4, 2010
Time: 8:55a NPST (North Pole Standard Time)
Location: International HQ of SC Enterprises International, LLP
Santa walked towards the main conference room, carrying his Grande Non-Fat Peppermint Latte in one hand, as he held numerous file folders under his other arm and pulled his briefcase on wheels. He balanced his Latte on top of his briefcase as he fumbled through his pocket for his security card.
“Holy Peppermint – where is that confounded thing”, he muttered to no-one in particular (seeing that there was – in fact – no one else around).
He finally retrieved it from his pocket and swiped it towards the proximity card reader to the left of the door.
The access light above the reader flashed red and the buzzer went off indicate an unsuccessful swipe. The jolly man tried repeatedly with the same results. He glanced at his watch and sees that it’s only 5 minutes before the weekly status meeting.
“Are we having problems, Santa?” squeaked a voice from behind.
Santa turned around to see Percy – the elf in charge of Reindeer Games.
“Indeed”, Santa sighed. “I still don’t see why we need all of this security, being in an invisible location, it’s not very likely that we’re going to have unauthorized visitors!”
“True that”, replied Percy. “But you know the way that Elvis is. As the head elf with his PMP and CMA designations, he’s always trying to move you slowly into High Tech. Let me see your card, Santa? Maybe the magnetic strip is damaged somehow.”
Santa handed the card over to Percy who then flipped the card over and chuckled.
“I see your problem, Mr. Big. There’s a splotch of eggnog on the magnetic strip. The reader couldn’t validate you.” stated Percy who then took out his lens cleaning cloth and wiped down the magnetic card and handed it back. “Here you go, try now”.
Santa swiped the card once again. The light flashed green, the door unlocked and the card-reader exclaimed in Santa’s prerecorded voice, “Ho-ho-ho, your eIdentity has been confirmed!”
Santa pushed the door of the Grand Mistletoe Conference room and entered, surveying around the large table to see the contingent of Head Elves waiting for him.
Santa sat himself down at the head of the table. As he stirred his latter with his candy cane, he addressed the contingent, “Good morning team, does anyone have any idea what day it is?”
Head-Wrapper Elf, Holly guessed, “Is it the birthday of someone that’s very important?”
Santa gave a deep guffaw, “Oh, we all know the answer to THAT one, but that’s not what I’m referring to. Today is precisely three weeks from Christmas. I expect everyone to have the final checklist ready for my review by the end of the day. Now, did anyone have issues to discuss today?”
Immediately, Elvis’s hand shot up.
Santa sighed with resignation, “Yes, Elvis, what is it this time?”
“Well, Santa baby..”
Before Elvis could continue, Santa interjected with a booming voice, “You know I hate that term. Unless you’re Mrs. Claus or Eartha Kitt, I don’t want to hear that. Elvis, if you weren’t such a great head elf in charge of R&D, you’d be demoted to reindeer stall scooping!”
“Anyways, as I was saying, big guy. The boys and I have been doing some research on some new technologies for you. As you know, the constant mall visits takes a lot of your time and resources. In order to make more efficient use of both of these, we’re proposing to install iPads in shopping malls. There, kids will be able to drag and drop images of toys that they want and you never have to be there. We’ll also have a link to your twitter feed and we’ve published you on Facebook so that people can add you as a friend, you’re up to 249,210,011 friends already and your account has only been up for 3 days!”
“Jumping Reindeers!” St. Nick exclaimed. “You can’t do that! You can’t replace me with, what are those things called?”
“iPads” responded Elvis “It’s a tablet PC with a virtual keyboard, they’re all the rage. Apparently David P. put the bug in the ear of Melinda Gates and she requested one as well. Apparently, David says that you can control Apple TVs and do all sort of neat things with an iPad. Now everyone wants an iPad.”
“Well bless my beard!” replied Santa. “How can that be? How on earth did Bill let an iPad in the door to his house?”
Elvis chuckled in response, “Quite simple actually. We stuck a couple of round tinker-toy knobs on to the iPad and Bill is convinced it’s an Etch-a-Sketch!”
Santa harrumphed sternly, “Regardless, this whole technology thing. It’s great and all. I love my SQL Server 2008 database for tracking production and my naughty and nice list. I think that it’s great to run my manual SQL Queries to determine the trends and to be able to see that we have the proper amount of raw materials.” He paused and thought for a minute, “ I think that there’s so much there that has helped us, but this is going too far. I will not be replaced by an iPad. The kids need that personal connection. I need to hear the sincerity in their voices and to see the excitement in their eyes. Christmas is not about transactions, it’s about the humanity, the goodwill and peace and love of the season. This is not going to fly, Elvis, I’m sorry. I appreciate the effort but our entire team needs to keep in mind that spirit – the human spirit – can never be captured or conveyed through technology.”
Elvis scowled and slumped, determined to be in a foul mood for the rest of the day. Santa smiled at him with a glint in his eye. Elvis couldn’t help but think how lucky he was to be working for SC Enterprises International, LLP.
Happy Holidays from TecHumanity and Rick!
Time: 8:55a NPST (North Pole Standard Time)
Location: International HQ of SC Enterprises International, LLP
“Holy Peppermint – where is that confounded thing”, he muttered to no-one in particular (seeing that there was – in fact – no one else around).
He finally retrieved it from his pocket and swiped it towards the proximity card reader to the left of the door.
The access light above the reader flashed red and the buzzer went off indicate an unsuccessful swipe. The jolly man tried repeatedly with the same results. He glanced at his watch and sees that it’s only 5 minutes before the weekly status meeting.
“Are we having problems, Santa?” squeaked a voice from behind.
Santa turned around to see Percy – the elf in charge of Reindeer Games.
“Indeed”, Santa sighed. “I still don’t see why we need all of this security, being in an invisible location, it’s not very likely that we’re going to have unauthorized visitors!”
“True that”, replied Percy. “But you know the way that Elvis is. As the head elf with his PMP and CMA designations, he’s always trying to move you slowly into High Tech. Let me see your card, Santa? Maybe the magnetic strip is damaged somehow.”
Santa handed the card over to Percy who then flipped the card over and chuckled.
“I see your problem, Mr. Big. There’s a splotch of eggnog on the magnetic strip. The reader couldn’t validate you.” stated Percy who then took out his lens cleaning cloth and wiped down the magnetic card and handed it back. “Here you go, try now”.
Santa swiped the card once again. The light flashed green, the door unlocked and the card-reader exclaimed in Santa’s prerecorded voice, “Ho-ho-ho, your eIdentity has been confirmed!”
Santa pushed the door of the Grand Mistletoe Conference room and entered, surveying around the large table to see the contingent of Head Elves waiting for him.
Santa sat himself down at the head of the table. As he stirred his latter with his candy cane, he addressed the contingent, “Good morning team, does anyone have any idea what day it is?”
Head-Wrapper Elf, Holly guessed, “Is it the birthday of someone that’s very important?”
Santa gave a deep guffaw, “Oh, we all know the answer to THAT one, but that’s not what I’m referring to. Today is precisely three weeks from Christmas. I expect everyone to have the final checklist ready for my review by the end of the day. Now, did anyone have issues to discuss today?”
Immediately, Elvis’s hand shot up.
Santa sighed with resignation, “Yes, Elvis, what is it this time?”
“Well, Santa baby..”
Before Elvis could continue, Santa interjected with a booming voice, “You know I hate that term. Unless you’re Mrs. Claus or Eartha Kitt, I don’t want to hear that. Elvis, if you weren’t such a great head elf in charge of R&D, you’d be demoted to reindeer stall scooping!”
“Anyways, as I was saying, big guy. The boys and I have been doing some research on some new technologies for you. As you know, the constant mall visits takes a lot of your time and resources. In order to make more efficient use of both of these, we’re proposing to install iPads in shopping malls. There, kids will be able to drag and drop images of toys that they want and you never have to be there. We’ll also have a link to your twitter feed and we’ve published you on Facebook so that people can add you as a friend, you’re up to 249,210,011 friends already and your account has only been up for 3 days!”
“Jumping Reindeers!” St. Nick exclaimed. “You can’t do that! You can’t replace me with, what are those things called?”
“iPads” responded Elvis “It’s a tablet PC with a virtual keyboard, they’re all the rage. Apparently David P. put the bug in the ear of Melinda Gates and she requested one as well. Apparently, David says that you can control Apple TVs and do all sort of neat things with an iPad. Now everyone wants an iPad.”
“Well bless my beard!” replied Santa. “How can that be? How on earth did Bill let an iPad in the door to his house?”
Elvis chuckled in response, “Quite simple actually. We stuck a couple of round tinker-toy knobs on to the iPad and Bill is convinced it’s an Etch-a-Sketch!”
Santa harrumphed sternly, “Regardless, this whole technology thing. It’s great and all. I love my SQL Server 2008 database for tracking production and my naughty and nice list. I think that it’s great to run my manual SQL Queries to determine the trends and to be able to see that we have the proper amount of raw materials.” He paused and thought for a minute, “ I think that there’s so much there that has helped us, but this is going too far. I will not be replaced by an iPad. The kids need that personal connection. I need to hear the sincerity in their voices and to see the excitement in their eyes. Christmas is not about transactions, it’s about the humanity, the goodwill and peace and love of the season. This is not going to fly, Elvis, I’m sorry. I appreciate the effort but our entire team needs to keep in mind that spirit – the human spirit – can never be captured or conveyed through technology.”
Elvis scowled and slumped, determined to be in a foul mood for the rest of the day. Santa smiled at him with a glint in his eye. Elvis couldn’t help but think how lucky he was to be working for SC Enterprises International, LLP.
Happy Holidays from TecHumanity and Rick!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Wired Connections
In CNET News yesterday, there was an article posted that the human brain has more switches than all of the computer on earth. The article goes on to state that just in the cerebral cortex, there are over 125 trillion synapses and the article draws a parallel between a synapse (the connection between neurons) and a microprocessor. To put this number in context, 125 trillion would be roughly equivalent to the number of number of stars that would fill 1,500 Milky Way galaxies.
This point goes back to something I mentioned earlier this year on my sceptism on Artificial Intelligence, while there is a clearly the possibility of rudimentary AI, my personal opinion is that we haven't even come close to understanding the human mind. My argument being until we get to this point, it will probably be difficult, if not virtually impossible, to have the type of AI that is romanticized (is that even a word?) in popular sci-fi fiction.
Lastly, if there are 125 trillion synapses, as the article states, then I demand some understanding for being somewhat...ummm....forgetful at times. It's not me - honestly - it's just that I have so many synapses to sift though.
That IS my story and I am proudly sticking to it.
This point goes back to something I mentioned earlier this year on my sceptism on Artificial Intelligence, while there is a clearly the possibility of rudimentary AI, my personal opinion is that we haven't even come close to understanding the human mind. My argument being until we get to this point, it will probably be difficult, if not virtually impossible, to have the type of AI that is romanticized (is that even a word?) in popular sci-fi fiction.
Lastly, if there are 125 trillion synapses, as the article states, then I demand some understanding for being somewhat...ummm....forgetful at times. It's not me - honestly - it's just that I have so many synapses to sift though.
That IS my story and I am proudly sticking to it.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Today's SPAM
I think that the marketers are messing with me today. Not only do I receive SPAM to 'enlarge my male parts' but I also get TWO, not one, but TWO emails offering me breast enlargement. These guys are just messing with my sexual identity!
Also, apparently, I can make $150/day by working at home plus I can get a great deal on forklifts.
Just an amazing (albeit confusing) day of SPAM, and the day's just started!
Also, apparently, I can make $150/day by working at home plus I can get a great deal on forklifts.
Just an amazing (albeit confusing) day of SPAM, and the day's just started!
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Microsoft - Shares Sold
Well - this post isn't as much about technology and it's impact on humanity. It's about something that I'm never too much in-tune with, but that I still found interesting.
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer announced this week that he had made some minor tweaks to his portfolio. Apparently, he wanted to diversify, to smooth out his exposure, so he went and sold 75 million of his shares in Microsoft. Just a little transaction to even our his portfolio. Million, wow. How many million shares does he have?
With the share price of Microsoft of about $26 yesterday, that means that the net proceeds of the sale was about $2b. Holy Cannoli, these are numbers that just boggle my mind. Which brings me to my original question, exactly how many shares DOES he have? This same article made it sound like this was a relatively minor transaction, that it was routine, but I'd have to guess that this transaction probably represented at least 20% of his total net worth. I've just done this amazing little thing called "reading the article" that answers this question. His total holdings in MSFT is 408,000,000 shares.
Reading a bit further down, one can see that it might not have just been about diversifying either. It goes on to say that there are new tax rules coming up in January with regards to the disposition of stock and by selling now as opposed to after the new laws come into effect, that it is estimated that this will save him around $65m. Wow. To have a soft paper savings of $65m. This is clearly a scale of economy that is far over my head. These numbers should apply to large corporations or small countries, not an individual.
I'm guessing that it's safe to safe that my little forays into the financial markets as I readjust my pension holdings are not as impressive as Mr. Ballmer.
The same article goes on to state that Mr. Gates also sold a few shares this week - assuming for the same reasons - for a total of 3,000,000 shares sold. Poor Bill, he only realized net proceeds for $75,000,000 or so. I guess that it will be Steve picking up the tab at the hot dog cart when the two of them go for lunch this week.
With the share price of Microsoft of about $26 yesterday, that means that the net proceeds of the sale was about $2b. Holy Cannoli, these are numbers that just boggle my mind. Which brings me to my original question, exactly how many shares DOES he have? This same article made it sound like this was a relatively minor transaction, that it was routine, but I'd have to guess that this transaction probably represented at least 20% of his total net worth. I've just done this amazing little thing called "reading the article" that answers this question. His total holdings in MSFT is 408,000,000 shares.
Reading a bit further down, one can see that it might not have just been about diversifying either. It goes on to say that there are new tax rules coming up in January with regards to the disposition of stock and by selling now as opposed to after the new laws come into effect, that it is estimated that this will save him around $65m. Wow. To have a soft paper savings of $65m. This is clearly a scale of economy that is far over my head. These numbers should apply to large corporations or small countries, not an individual.
I'm guessing that it's safe to safe that my little forays into the financial markets as I readjust my pension holdings are not as impressive as Mr. Ballmer.
The same article goes on to state that Mr. Gates also sold a few shares this week - assuming for the same reasons - for a total of 3,000,000 shares sold. Poor Bill, he only realized net proceeds for $75,000,000 or so. I guess that it will be Steve picking up the tab at the hot dog cart when the two of them go for lunch this week.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Google - A Nice Little Shopping Spree
Apparently, Google has spent $1.6b on acquiring 40 companies over the last 9 months. Holy cannoli, must be nice! We're not even into the official Christmas shopping season yet! Can't wait to see if they break the $2.0b barrier.
Sigh - dammit all anyways, why wasn't I the one to come up with idea of Google, or Facebook, or...etc...
That's it...I've had it. For my upcoming 50th birthday celebration, my present to myself will be to come up with the next great thing.
Move on over Google! There's a new sheriff in town!
Now...does anyone have a spare $100-200m collecting dust. I'd gladly pay you Tuesday for R&D costs today! (bonus points to whomever can tell me where I bastardized that saying from!)
The Ever Changing Workforce
This is a subject that I've long contemplated. It's not so much specific to our current technology, but this has always been something to contend with as our civilization advances and matures. With new technologies come new jobs and it also often involves other jobs becoming obsolete.
This thought first came to mind a few months ago near work. I saw an "Iron Mountain" truck parked on King Street here in Toronto. For the uninitiated, Iron Mountain is a niche supplier of document services. There focus is on off-site retention of documents (paper or electronic based) and the safe destruction of old documents. The thought that came to my mind was "Wow - here is a while industry that didn't exist 30 years ago" (or at least if it did exist, it certainly wasn't so critical. In today's society, companies live and die by data and a by-product of this is the appropriate retention and destruction.
I wonder to myself how many new jobs have been created in the computer era. I'm betting that there it is far more than anyone had ever considered. My position - as a Systems Analyst/Software Designer - would not have existed in the main-stream work force 40 years ago - there was no context of a "system" other than a paper based filing/record keeping system.
What finally prompted me to write this blog entry was an article that I read today that listed 20 jobs that are now obsolete. The list is as follows (courtesy of the article at http://www.mainstreet.com/article/career/employment/20-jobs-have-disappeared?puc=outbrain&cm_ven=outbrain&obref=obnetwork) :
Keep yourself relevant. Never get so comfortable in your job that you don't look to the future.
This thought first came to mind a few months ago near work. I saw an "Iron Mountain" truck parked on King Street here in Toronto. For the uninitiated, Iron Mountain is a niche supplier of document services. There focus is on off-site retention of documents (paper or electronic based) and the safe destruction of old documents. The thought that came to my mind was "Wow - here is a while industry that didn't exist 30 years ago" (or at least if it did exist, it certainly wasn't so critical. In today's society, companies live and die by data and a by-product of this is the appropriate retention and destruction.
I wonder to myself how many new jobs have been created in the computer era. I'm betting that there it is far more than anyone had ever considered. My position - as a Systems Analyst/Software Designer - would not have existed in the main-stream work force 40 years ago - there was no context of a "system" other than a paper based filing/record keeping system.
What finally prompted me to write this blog entry was an article that I read today that listed 20 jobs that are now obsolete. The list is as follows (courtesy of the article at http://www.mainstreet.com/article/career/employment/20-jobs-have-disappeared?puc=outbrain&cm_ven=outbrain&obref=obnetwork) :
- Lector (to read articles to bored workers)
- Newsroom copy-boy (can anyone say "email!")
- Log-driver (not sure why this one is on the list? I'd think that this position still exists)
- Pin-setter (I'm not even old enough to remember a person resetting the pins in a bowling alley. Rejoice!)
- Lamplighter (totally obsolete now, I'd think)
- Switchboard Operator (anyone remember "1 ringie-dingie, 2 ringie-dingie", or am I dating myself?)
- Telegraph Operator (Oh boy, for sure. Actually, one of my first employers in this field was CNCP Telecommunications and this was their bread and butter. Anyone want to guess if CNCP is still around?)
- Ice-cutter (iceboxes anyone? I actually have faint memories of an icebox as we had one up at the cottage before we had electricity)
- Ice Delivery (same as above. Without the ice-cutter, I'm guessing it wouldn't be too fun to be an Ice Delivery man).
- Dictaphone Operator (Digital recorders 101)
- Typing Pool (hey - I remember those! My first employer was Woods Gordon. I remember there being a pool of ladies. Now everyone is pretty much expected to type their own stuff)
- Newspaper Typesetter (this one, I don't know - I would think that this position has morphed into someone who does the layout and design. Yes, they don't actually get those little square rectangles - umm did I just say little square rectangles? Conceptually, it seems pretty related.
- Elevator Operator (I have no memory of an elevator operator. third floor- ladies' lingerie!)
- Mimeograph Operator (Paging Mr. Xerox!)
- Streetsweeper (again - I'd contend that this position is still there, just with different tools)
- Sandman (Wow! I had no idea! Apparently, this was a REAL position where someone would distribute sand over ink on a page to help it dry. Good gravy - that is a job I would NOT want to do)
- Sawyer (wood mills/cut to order replaced by your handy-dandy Home Depot)
- Manual Port Loading (assembly line work replaced by robotics)
- Breaker Boy (poor lads had to go through and separate the non-coal from the coal. Lung disease anyone?)
- Rag and Bone Men (the quintessential recyclers, they'd go house to house getting specific garbage to be reused.
Keep yourself relevant. Never get so comfortable in your job that you don't look to the future.
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