Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Offline Cast Spell Online (or is it other way around?)


Even if I'm scratching my head over this, the results of the survey isn't as far-fetched as it seems. Digital Influencers may be flesh and blood after all!

Moral of the story? Get a life!

Yahoo, so not dead. Future more Open-ended with Yahoo!Mail! Me, I just wish that the mail loads faster...

What? Out in five years or so. Start growing trees to chop again and protect your data for life! CloudAve has a point that your data is safe even from you.

'Holiday, celebrate' ... but always keep yourself reminded by way of others using Remindr.

Cloud User:
Introducing IBM Virtual Linux Desktop. Dang!

Team Viewer for Desktop Sharing

DeskAway. Collaborative Tool for Teams!

Holiday's 'What Not to Buy' Guide! Sorry, Santa, you could make it double wishes next year!

Friday, December 12, 2008

Get me some Holiday Fix 2008


No doubt, Holidays can be a source of dreadful stress, too. It isn't just the shopping nor fussing about gifts but the difficulty of managing time to accomplish all of this while keeping that focus on important work concerns.

Anyway, persevere. It only comes once a year and it can be all worth it once you see how your actions help spread the cheer!

Yeah, right.

Seriously, best fix I have discovered is to watch a Christmas presentation by some kid you know - if you don't have a kid of your own. It's enough to bring you back to the reason you care to celebrate and go through all the trouble in the first place.

For those who take their Tweets far too seriously, you might be eligible for the 'Shorty Awards'

Facebook just got shinier with it's winning apps. The 5 Best - According to Votes.

More list! Top Ten New Web Services of 2008!

It's not just comments and participation, it's passion! It's intense debate!

Andy Wibbels discusses Online Marketing and it's not just traffic!

Web Inter-Operability - Big Boys minus Google! Ho-hum.

It's Cloud Computing for now!, says Economist, unless Walmart goes into hardware!

Chrome comes out of beta. Would version for Linux and Mac not be far behind?

Having trouble with your Wi-fi at home. Optimize and check this out!

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Portent of SaaS: Web Collab Tools A Plenty


Try to sweeten the deal with SaaS

Still not SaaS-tisfied? No worry and just test these web based collab tools.

Hitch with co-creators and get to the 1% through these tools.
Issuu + EtherPad + DoingText + TextFlow = More collaborative webwork-style doc tools, great for users. Don't forget there's helpMe too!

So does MSFT's Office. Coming to a Mac near you!

SaaS might be victim of credit crunch, too.

Chris Anderson on reappraisal of the Long Tail.

But can you predict online popularity? Maybe HP can help...

On cloud computing service, IBM will help... certify
Posted on by friarminor | 1 comment

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Vanishing Acts: Google Lively, Print, CEO (and my viewing pleasures)

What?

Much of what I read on the web nowadays is about tech which practically skyrocketed to the clouds because of my present job. Yet of course, I also like reading about other things, like basketball for example. I try to keep abreast of what's happening, whether NBA or NCAA since I don't get to watch the games on TV anymore [because my kid owns the remote].

Anyway, interesting when these two fave topics cross paths but not in a feel-good sort of event. Mavericks' owner Mark Cuban on defense against the Team USA - SEC! More on the case.

Google Lively? Unplugged. Irony.

Apparently, today's 'heat' is just too much for execs so out of Yahoo, Jerry goes! Possible replacements?

Paper cuts used to mean being micro-sliced usually on the fingers but now it means 'less dead tree publishing'. PC Magazine, Adieu. On the other hand, Watchdogs! (Courtesy of NYT; Ironic)

Content Delivery Network goes to Amazon CloudFront! So long, competition...

Even Cloud Computing faith goes out, too as Google proves it can also do downtime! I mean regularly.

Cloud (Czar) goes up and Sun (employees) go down!
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Want to learn more about Personalized Clouds? Please join the Webinar this November 21 and find out about the Morph AppCloud. Register here.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Recession Can't Touch News and Information


In fact, financial troubles and downturns only seem to add fuel to the news fire!

Gladwell's back with Outliers! More than having another book on success, I just love how he pulls all these statistical trivia to raise a point. Always a fun read so looking forward to getting my hands on one.

On Dead Tree Publishing: Just bought a couple of issues of Time Magazine and I admit it has really been awhile. Still, it's such a good read especially when you're lying in bed which isn't the least bit possible with laptops or netbooks even. Desktop might even be better because you can attach the LCD monitor on the ceiling and mouse wireless to your hearts delight! Stiff neck and all. [Books vs Internet.]

4 New Directions for Cloud Computing (when we haven't really tried the old one yet)

Computer science doesn't appeal to women. Period.

Facebooking? Be proud at work! Social Networking in the workplace increases efficiency. Hmmph.

Tim Brown, IDEO CEO can tell you a lot about innovation.

I'm a big fan of Karen Armstrong by way of the books she writes. Now, it's a bit bigger with Charter for Compassion.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Cloud Computing: 'I'm not the Monster (It's the Web)!'

Friend or Foe?

Ahh, the talks about the risks of not being in full control of your data and cloud monsters yet one only has to look at usual web activity to find out that either we are too gullible or simply naive that we often supply passwords left and right to be with the crowds.

Simply put, the web is a trap by nasty spiders with different agendas or pieces of thread we use to connect us to another branch. Again, there's no worry - because being trapped is still much better than the lonely life we abhor.

Related:
Can we trust startups
Twitterank Creator Speaks

30-days-later-Apps: I'm not sure they can be trusted but they sure work for the RWW guys, I assume.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Prolonging the Scary SaaS Agony

More growl than bite.

5 Questions to Ask before Going SaaS

Valid questions. Yet, moving into new technology is like going to uncharted territory but I'd rather be optimistic about it despite the pitfalls. A lot like life.

I've written my thoughts below for each of the 5 questions.

1. SaaS-based Apps will never got the full route of traditional full-featured sets. That is why it's lightweight. So narrow the expectations because fact is, most never use the complete features anyway!

2. Sure you can include IT, but a SaaS App that is too complicated isn't a good app to start with. Lesson: It should be simple enough to use that it doesn't need to be put inside a box along with instruction manual.

3. The majority of SaaS Apps are, continually, a work in progress (or perpetual beta as most would term it) but yes, be sure you can move in and get out with little fuss so you or your company won't get burned. Then move to the next tempting SaaS app

4. Capex vs Opex. Truth is that in the long (as in years or so) run, SaaS Apps will cost more than buying outright traditional licensed software applications. Think of it as cost of updates and maintenance of software to current hardware specs so it never becomes obsolete. It is still way better than buying 'new' software set every 3-5 years without feeling that something improved really. Caveat: You can always opt out to try others without shelling out that big investment.

5. Integration issues? These will eventually take care of itself because that is what IT departments do - wrestle with integration issues regularly. SaaS or no SaaS. It is a matter of adaptation and you know what happens when you can't adapt. In a year or two, most legacy apps will be gone anyway (replaced by you know what).

Web: Make Me Happy.
Web 2.0 Summit is a Wrap. Is it possible to have President-elect Obama speaking next year? On the other side, how about Palin? Ayayay..

Pocket-sized Projector! Whooo...

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Cloud of Hope and A New Era after the Elections

'Change is in the air'. Need not say more.

You'd have to be so caught up in your own private shell to not give a rat's tail on the results of the US elections. Although I am not counting instant cures to economic ills should Monsieur Obama win, it somehow represents a break from the past - something that is highly unthinkable even a few years ago.

However, should it come to pass that things don't go the way of pre-election polls, I'd rather not dwell on it ...

Catch history unfold via socialmedian

Stumped on how to beat the recession? Do it the Google way. [Insert cloud here]

Other happenings:

ApacheCon US 2008 - your fill of Open Source goodness! Heard about Maven? You might want to check it out as it is being presented there, too.

Not to be outdone, RubyConf 2008.

More Rails goodness like Ideas FTW ! Hmmm, it's about ideas really.

Or you may want to check out the Rails-based Open Source Apps running on the Morph AppSpace for yourself or for your department. One-click of a button and it's deployed and ready for use. [Disclosure: I work for Morph Labs so you may want to just cross the preceeding sentence if it groses you out. Yaay.]

Booksale, err Forceface.
UCC: Union of Cloud Convenience! I now pronounce them Chuck and Larry!

Social Media and Recession: Incompatible because there's no ROI? Louis says no. Second that motion.

Find out what 'bloody Congo in your pocket' means. Wake-up call.

I repeat, economic experts do not exist!

Free isn't going cheap. May I add that it's because focus is on getting short-term results and voila, ROI.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Expires and Inspires

Expires:

Are you a part of the millions who've wished for a 'paper-less' society'? Sure seems we're now all green with pride but apparently, I'm not as happy as I would have liked and mourning, as well. I wish the New York Times and the other beacons of journalism find new revenue schemes. Honest.



Inspires:

Just posted about the recent RailsRumble winners yesterday and finally, got to check most of the apps featured already. Love most of the rails apps featured for their zen-like approaches and design yet if I have to choose which is my favorite, I'd say it's InspiresMe. (although I got that from the first commenter!)

How it works?
Like signature rails apps, it is quite simple. Type in 'What inspires you?' and then you'll be shown photos and videos that are tagged by what you wrote! It's like fun open searches for new media, nothing definitive.

Portent?
Like a sort of fan base, I can see networks forming around specific 'inspires' which really makes sense. I won't be surprised if they pull this app and plug it into facebook or twitter because that is where plenty of people are at already.

What really made my jaw drop?
Mark Bao. So young and brilliant. There's a world of potential for this kid and the things he'll do.

Jury Still Out:

Found this one (via social-cache) about Pepsi. Not sure how the public will respond but I'd say that the Coke re-branding worked nice and smooth. Familiar with Turner Duckworth. Maybe not, except for their work.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Right, Wrong or Immoral: It isn't about Tech but about Selling Out

Over at GigaOm, Mr. Malik has again written an interesting post that successfully started a re-examination of priorities within myself. I call these types of discussions and posts as conundrums for 'things that really matter'. As it is, these types of things just keep coming at you from all sides, online, offline and even in dream state.

And there lies my 'working' answer to that 'moral' question, that it is always and will be a personal battle that we all will continually wage upon ourselves. As they say, the greatest of victories is self-conquest!

So what then constitutes immoral? Not sure what it is but it is often tied up to 'money, riches or commerce' when given priority over things (which made me realize how the word 'sell-out' is indeed, an appropriate term. Go figure.)

But hey, it might just be me. Care to challenge or better yet, share your own insight, please ...

Side Notes:
A Payne in the Ask: Internet is built Wrong! and Twitter is Right?

Holy New Testament! The end justifies the means working here.


Arise ye Global Cloud! (from the Economist ... yep, economy, err, money, there goes morality again. Woot.)

10 Impressive Rails Apps: I still have to check them out but by the looks of it, smells like cash, nothing wrong with that!

Managing IT during a downturn? Careful about the word - counterproductive!

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Writings on the TwitWall


If the current financial crunch is to be factored in the tech world, then we can reasonably expect that there will be a dearth of start ups wanting to take a risk and challenge the prevailing gloom. NO more social networks, no more superficial apps and no more fun.

But is there really such a thing is timing for something that is supposed to have some promise? On the contrary, a lot of compelling stories are set amidst a backdrop of not so ideal circumstances where triumph is made more significant by adversity.

Which brings us to probably the newest (and only) kid on the block called
TwitWall.

On their own words:
When its too long to tweet, but too short to blog, just TwitWall it! TwitWall is the easy-to-use, quick-to-blast-out blog companion for Twitter. With TwitWall, you can embed your favorite videos and widgets, upload your photos, mp3 music or podcasts, - you name it. Just the kind of stuff to keep your followers following (fans cheering, or clients calling). All that, while still enjoying the many social-goodness and customization features you enjoy on Twitter.

Mine:
Amazing! It brings together disparate Twitter apps such as links to photos, videos and most that are beyond what 140 characters can accommodate. Some might say it is just a repetition of existing apps that are working quite perfectly but what's different about TwitWall is that it still has a big opportunity for expansion to include all 'best of breeds'. Besides, I miss the Twitter archive (maybe I just haven't figured out where to look now) and this provides a temp cure.

Go check it out - and better if you're already a Twitter fan cause in this case and at this times, better not ignore the writings on the TwitWall. For the good thing is, that this downturn too shall paas, err I mean pass.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Want something more Cloudy? Elections

Exercise in futility?

For the most part, talk about the benefits of cloud computing has centered on it's impact on IT departments - and on applications and their deployments in general but aside from web email, majority of the 'non- coding' population still have no idea how relevant the cloud can be whether they are connected to tech or not.

Here is a wild idea.


Does anyone think that an important matter say a national 'election' be something that can utilize the help of cloud computing? I'm not sure how different the systems are for each country but then I guess most of it rely on some form of software to ensure that each vote cast is correctly counted for a particular candidate. Or does it?

But what about countries that still employ a manual 'count and tally' system using chalkboard and loads of election tally sheets who are looking into modernizing the system to prevent election fraud particularly human tampering? What about the cost involved of setting up the IT infrastructure to justify the shift? Can the cloud be a viable option given how substantially cost-efficient it touts itself to be?

I know there will be more question than answers but can the cloud (amidst security and privacy issues) enter the equation and be utilized to making elections transparent for all and subject to checks and audits? Or is it a question of whether technology can really be impartial or are we under the spell of developers who know how to game the system?

How sure are you that your vote really counts?


Related post and sites:

University illustrates potential for vote hacking
Anti-BB Voting
Call for Transparent Elections (Philippines)


This post came up from hearing the talk about the move to change an archaic Philippine election count system during the well-attended PSIA meeting that was jointly-sponsored by PLDT and Morph Labs. Extremely happy that it wasn't just a geek-fest....

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Cloud Movie: Coming to a PC Near You

What constitutes viewing pleasure? Small is the new big!

To be sure, there lots of videos you can find online and which a lot of people can watch for free. Yet, for the most part, most of this are jut TV or DVD material that were uploaded for the scrimping public. While there are film "auteurs" who have dabbled in bringing quality videos to those video sharing sites, it is no doubt that big screen directors haven't really grasped the magnitude of drawing on the long tail. Why? Maybe they hate pirates.

Now comes Wayne Wang, bonafide film director who in a surprise move has put his film, Princess of Nebraska in Youtube. Learn more about the film here, which debuted at the Toronto Film Festival.

This ought to be a must watch, not just in terms of Wang's directorial quality but for the universal impact of financial woes, both for the film's protagonist and just maybe the entertainment industry, as well. Truly ubiquitous cinema!

Do we see any video sharing site offering more than 10 minutes of movie time? It could mean taxing bandwidth and storage space but then anything is possible. Perhaps, cutting into manageable strips will do. Just don't forget to show them the revenue model.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Despite the Revenue to Show for IT, SaaS Plays Second Fiddle

Saas-ssssteppin' Up

Quick.

Name a SaaS App that has made the Web roll over its tail and basically create one event after another just to be able to come up with a consensus definition that is obsolete by the end of a quarter.

Tell me it's not Google Docs. You might even drop the name Salesforce but then fail to come up with a single App to feel giddy about.

But that is how it is with SaaS. Like predator searching for its prey, it has remained quiet and agile to net those enterprise deals.

Now, should the web world continue to crow about cloud computing or is about time that SaaS and a legion of web apps take the lead? Anyway, both have same goal: disruption and a new way of doing things (and save everyone money, too).

If you want, you can stick to proprietary...

Related:
Using prudence and cloud resources to get what cloud computing can do for you

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Cloud Summit: Sold!

Wonder what's on the latest event menu?

For cloud watchers, the Cloud Summit probably appears to be the event that gets you right down to a front-row seat to excellent discussions about cloud impact on technology. This is cloud community! Wow.

One only has to look at the agenda to see that this is a no-frills gathering of thought leaders. Still, give it to the peddlers who will always find it difficult to restrain themselves. I don't necessarily think they have a different agenda, though. After all, 'ROI' remains the most adopted company byline.

Sold on the cloud? There are quite a number of ways to look at it, from the summit perspective.
  1. People, who can't get past the labels, finally can come up and agree on a definitive cloud description (not just visible mass of droplets or crystals frozen in the atmosphere). What's the sound of one hand clappping?
  2. Cloud computing is tech future and not just marketing hype. Really!
  3. Cloud looks all business - eyes on the enterprise. It is also about 'torch passing' - breaking off from current practices. That is why it is called disruptive.
Thankful for Mr Tom Foremski for taking us there and seeing business opportunities. Plus, check out Thomas Claburn's post as IT departments, as we currently know it, takes a hit because nobody listens on bulky stereo sound systems anymore and cloud, my friend is like the iPod!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

PaaS: Poverty as a Service

Life is about money and for the better part, the lack of it.

I thought I knew much about it.

My UP upbringing led me to a work with the marginalized and poor communities within Metro Manila and the neighboring provinces north of it. Had no desire to be anything else.

I fit right in with my usual torn jeans and shirt get-up, walking through potholes and narrow pathwalks. Sometimes, I just rode my bike for about a 5 kilometer trip to the community. It was perfect as far as I'm concerned.

I get to see kids and talk with parents. I don't need to wear office attire. I get to learn about the really valuable things in life.


Like, being with volunteer parents for a shared group meal worth $2 five days a week. It's not just food but communion. I get to see their living conditions but rarely do I see or hear about their worries.

I meet kids playing barefoot and unkept most of the time. Yet, their smiles are sufficiently brilliant to ward off the health concerns I usually spew out in horror. Saw a lot of them everyday that after a few years, I am not just a community worker but just your regular community wanderer.

I can be comfortable with meeting parents discussing about health and life issues just as I am comfortable playing with kids and teens at the usual makeshift concrete politician-sponsored community playground. But if there is anything I am uncomfortable with, it is having nothing else to offer to ease their burden since I've gotten so much from them about what's important in life and the perspective from the world of nothing.

Not everybody has been granted that privilege. Did the rounds of that for about 15 years until family demanded most of it. Thought I was the one giving the service.

Grossly mistaken.


Until then, I will be forever grateful and will always remember. Maybe someday, I can continue and return the favor.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

VC Bubble Bath [Valley Corleone's]


It is not going to be an easy battle. Despite the repeated calls to remain upbeat, a cloud of pall about the financial crisis is spreading. One just has to look at the web content and realize that, indeed, bubble talk is upon us. So says the VCs or Valley Corleone's.


Now what? We search for good things and fool ourselves until we morph reality into something better, besides it is all but a cycle. Optimists united. Here, here and here. May your tribes increase.

Internet enabling Freedom is an excellent start!

Ever heard about Jetty? You should because it's something more people would be using in the future without even knowing it. Hint: G Phone... and a Java force.

Before: Bike for fun and fitness. Now: Bike because of crises. Here are the hottest bike gadgets for the gearheads. Salivating.

Strangelove: Social Media and the Influence of strangers

Friday, October 10, 2008

Million-dollar Question of Motivation

Wondering about motivation

Yes, it's worth that much and more. It's life we're talking about and that defies valuation and monetary value. Head over to Zen Habits and give yourself a favor. Learn about 2 secrets to motivation. It may just give you that oomph to find your own path.

Web:

Time to revisit. Tips for the basic computer user. Mac or not. [NY Times]

Social Mention.
Tracking is to go beyond search.

IDC: Forecast on consumer cloud spending will grow almost three-fold by 2012. Not bad. Look at IBM this quarter.

Charge! Most of us use this but hopefully we'll have something better. Hint. It's not about credit.

Yahoo! goes Web Analytics

BrightTalk:
Webcasts finds a home

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Tech: Get those gloves off now!


That sure seems to be the general consensus. Go, tech, go!

To not risk is the ultimate risk (from Silicon Valley Watcher)

Gartner says 'hedge a little'
.

Over-30 Visionaries to Save the World


Hard times demand teamwork - not an MVP. [This isn't about basketball but more of teams in general but I'm sure Kobe knows this by mind; Lakers fans sure hope he learns this and subscribe to it wholeheartedly, too]

The social network that shakes well during shaky times: LinkedIn

G2VC founder Winston Damarillo sings the same tune: Don't be afraid. [courtesy of Inquirer.net]



Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Social Median: Measuring CNT [Central News Tendency]

It may have been a month ago or maybe just recently but joining another bookmark-plus-site sharing was getting to be a really tedious activity (like keeping up with the cloud buzz). There's delicious, Digg, Yahoo! Buzz and the encompassing Mixx. So what else can there be?

In comes Social Median - in their own words:

socialmedian is a social news network that connects people with personalized news and information. socialmedian enables you to easily keep up-to-date on the news that matters to you and to people who share your interests.

socialmedian is all about personalized news - helping people get the news that matters most to them on any number of topics from any number of sources. Our hunch is that people with common topical interests can help each other filter and discover personally relevant news.

Their thesis is:
1. Yes, there is a lot of great content out there and the Internet is making content creation and distribution easier and easier.
2. But people need help wading through all that great content and discovering just the news and information that is most relevant to them.
3. A potentially powerful way to help people get a personalized view of news and information would be through collaborative filtering by people with common interests.

My take on what makes it special:
1. Yes, it is fairly easy to navigate. Site layout is easy on the eyes.
2. Relevant content based on personalized, favored topics shows up. Who needs massively comprehensive? Try Feeds.
3. Jason Goldberg. Yes. Top honcho just can't be stopped and his passion overflows and rubs off on you with all the posts, email notifications, Tweets and short but sincere comments and replies. It feels like he is really just a nudge away. You can't help but be hooked.

To prove that he's just like Taz and continues to spin and move, you will just have to look at the new features that keep turning up at a frenzied (but democratic) pace. Replize, Moods and now, Facebook integration.

And they're still in beta. Whoa.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

[Smartest] Marketing both Best and Worst News

Jon Stewart looms large

I'm so happy to finally be able to use a layout coming from the creative genius Derek Punsalan. While most of his blog themes are for Wordpress, this hasn't stopped Blogger Buster from tweaking it for the blogger users. Amen to them.

Businessweek trumpets the Best of the Web 2008. In a world that's topy-turvy, the Web remains stalwartly optimistic. True.

Moore's Law is an oft quoted term in tech. Do you know what it means? In-depth piece from Ars Technica.

Why the flow of innovation has reversed? Consumerism.

Flowgram
. When sending Powerpoint and Keynote aren't enough.

No joke. TB is deadlier than ever. Jame Nachtwey has compelling shots to prove that the world may be in for a pandemic.
XDRTB.Org.

Hot. John Battle has hit a 'smart marketing' nerve and LinkedIn is where the answers are now at!

Friday, October 3, 2008

Tech Releases [itself] from Financial News Grasp

Had too much of bailouts and Wall St. blues? Sure, we can't argue about it's importance and the implications of a meltdown [as Sarah Lacy found out] but that doesn't mean we can't turn and look at the brighter side far off the economic woes.

Nintendo DSi - Too late for Christmas but exciting gift nonetheless.
Trust for Online Merchants trump Offline: Ha!
MacLibre
: Because we love Free
Google: Moderator rises in time for these free-for-all debates [then comes clean]!
Harnessing the power of the lens. The Telescope is 400 years old.

**************
Morph Labs at the Philippine International IT Expo 2008. Driving information technology solutions for Philippine business and enterprises.

Jerome Gotangco presenting on Opportunities of SaaS & PaaS

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Is it wise to use Crowd Wisdom?


If there is anything worse (or good, whichever side of the fence you're in) than a crisis, it is finding a lot of 'expert opinions' to debate on a solution. There are situations that need instant response and action and that is where we have the educated and trained individuals. Think of it as doctors in an ER. However, finding answers to problems that encompass a broad scale and which affect populace always prove to be a tough balancing act between picking the right answer and appealing (or appeasing?) to the crowd sentiment.
As if it was possible to be right always... think Presidency.

Rizzin Hopkins on Experts and the Economy.


Related content:
What's a techie to do in a financial crisis?

Same old Bailout plan
Here is the Solution
What is the bailout plan anyway?

Stepping up: Venture Capital
Building financial crisis-proof business

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Social Media is a Return to Roots

On ne voit bien qu'avec le cœur, l'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux.

NOT all changes are meant to make life more efficient.

It could be that it is more of a top priorities change and what is a search for efficiencies basically morph into finding the shortest route to making a quick buck. A plan requiring perseverance, diligence and the correct way of doing things is now replaced by a scheme.

NOT all things change for the better. (Cure is worse than the ailment)

Take a look at agriculture for example. Sure, we have built dams, tractors and other devices to enable us to harvest more crops in less time. Yet, given the situation now, seems like we're far off worse than before if you look at statistics on world hunger. Those processing plants may be giving off more carbon that would basically kill off the people who are supposed to be the consumers. Well, you may argue that the new tools are about giving people more time to do other things. Question is, are those new things about helping more people or about helping themselves to more profit in detriment to self and community? Or shall we say feeding the greed.

Social media isn't new

Sure, it isn't. What actually is new is 'traditional media'. Since it is the one we've been exposed to since we started make full use of our faculties, this generation considers as sort of the de facto. Newspapers, TV and radio have surrounded us like a huge net of information filter meant for us to be more knowledgeable and stay well-informed. Most of us devour it 'hook, line and sinker' without question. Guess, what? Most of these so called info are actually marketing pitches and at worse, propaganda.

Re-birth

We are born into social media through the stories we hear and pass on. As babies and kids, we listen to stories. We learn them by heart and consciously and subconsciously, learn about their subtle meanings as well. We pass it on to other kids and store it in the recesses of our memory only to retrieve it back again upon the twilight of our lives in search for true self.

Social media is the way ancestors pass on news and spread word about things. They pass on knowledge across generations and tribes by telling stories validated by their lives. Foremost among those stories which still remain with us today are tales of heroism or even everyday banter about cures for common ailments, how to till the land or how and when to get a good catch. (Maybe they were really trying to tell us back then that 'comets are bad' judging by the supposed myths about it.). It may not be as idyllic as we ought to believe but it is way better than the lies people in power come to perpetrate nowadays.

Truth is the root

There's lot of talk about harnessing the power of social media because it looks like the in-thing. Yet the true power of social media is being able to peel away the embellishments and going to the core. If people find value in the labor or the product then well and good. Information will spread among communities who find connections across lands they don't even have the faintest idea who or what they look like. It isn't about popularity in an instant. It's about patience and nurturing and the belief that value takes time. To think otherwise, might just be to corrupt it and people as well.

Good thing about it is that people will eventually find out. One just has to look at the roots.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Drive, free and e-SEE


The alternatives for those who do not have the means are increasing as the web continues to evolve. Though some might say that all you need is a PC with a browser and an internet connection, more often, the most important ingredient you will need is drive.

You see, the world of the web now mostly runs on 'the introductory free". Go ahead surf, look for information, search for applications or file storage, you can find plenty that is free. Even with few less options than a premium offer, the free deal is enough to get you started while the rest is up to you.

That is where drive comes in, especially now that schools (Check out Stanford's SEE and the MIT Open Courseware) are taking grand steps to give education a bigger presence in the web. From the simple tips and tutorials coming from people and communities, institutions are beginning to see the value of spreading info and sowing seeds of knowledge. There might be only a handful where the seeds might grow and bear fruit but as more of the seeds spread, the odds continue to stack up on it being picked up and become success stories.

Like free trials or test deployments that web companies offer, there might only be a few that go the full distance. Yet come to think of it, that is all a program needs in infancy while it creates a product of value and keep on going an extra mile.

Web Find:
Wordle
: Creating word clouds made free and easy, too

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Are you [App] Experienced?

Nice but the proof is in the typing

Everyday for the last 12 months, there hasn't been a dearth of new applications that comes up on my feeds or via network shout-outs. Of course, there will be a bunch of crap or re-hashes of previous app or tools that were either extremely popular or better iterations of incomplete and poorly designed ones but overall, it's all for good because we users are, after all, still in control. We are free to sign-up or ignore, become early adopters or fence-sit without no real horrible consequence except loss of bragging rights.

But is it really just bragging rights? Or do people really find value in the app, tool or system? While most (ok, hundreds of thousands) get it, why do others fail to see that it could also be worth trying out?

Tom Foremski has an interesting post on 'experiential gap'.

" ..... why Twitter is so interesting is one that cannot be conveyed unless you are in it. This is one of the hallmarks of many important applications such as blogging, Facebook, etc. You can't and won't be able "get it" unless you are in it. We have moved beyond "generation gap" differences in technology use and moved into the "experiential gap" in terms of use and understanding. Your experience with an application such as Twitter provides an understanding that cannot be communicated by reading about it or even being told about it.

He goes on to provide more details about what are the characteristics of powerful apps and why they are successful. Oh, I may have to add that 'digital intimacy' thingy as the clincher.

Read more about it here.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Web2Expo Gems: Gary Vaynerchuk loves you!

Gary Vaynerchuk (WineLibrary) speaks about 'killing it' -- with love!

Patience. Passion. Stop Doing Sh1t you hate. Caring about you and your user base. Monetize. Hustle. Legacy. Brand Equity. Transparency. Using all tools available.

Watch this
, I beg you and you're on the road to happiness beginning now.

Building Personal Brand Within the Social Media Landscape



Friday, September 19, 2008

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

4 Monsters in the Cloud: A Scary Story Unfolds


We all love to play devil's advocate especially surrounding a buzz-of-a-topic everyone is all ears on. This is particularly true about cloud computing where web people and not just developers and systems administrators have taken a personal crusade to make sure that their fears about it are properly addressed.

So what are the top cloud computing fears for users, developers and enterprises? Here are the four (4) most common ones that cause apprehension. Let's call them 'Cloud Monsters'.

1. Security and Privacy
2. Data Recovery
3. System Administration
4. Scalability

Related stories:
Privacy, security issues darken cloud computing plans

In search of a silver lining
Cloud Computing Adoption Grows Despite Concerns
Pew study: cloud computing popular, privacy worries linger

Cloud Computing: Securing the Cloud
Cloud Failure: The Myth of Nines
Cloud Computing Opinion: The Goal of "Five Nines" - 99.999% Availability - is Meaningless
Still Cloudy on Cloud Computing: A Matrix to Guide the Coming Policy Debates

What is the State of Cloud Computing?
What Laws Should Govern Computing Clouds?
20 Real-Life Challenges of Cloud Computing
The Obvious Dangers of the Cloud

* * * * *
Web Watch
Wall Street domino blocks will eventually reach the Valley.
Tom Foremski's take. Web collaboration tool called Wiggio Blog Tactics: Links out-hustle content Twitterkeys: Moving beyond text into cuteness Report: Nearly 70% of businesses allow social media usage Podcasts: 15 Must-listen Geek Podcasts

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

WebEx NYC is WEB-verything!


WebExNYC officially begins today!

From the site:
"The inaugural Web 2.0 Expo New York takes the pulse of the Web ecosystem and looks to its future, training a spotlight across the Web 2.0 universe to illuminate how the Internet Revolution is being created and delivered. What will you do with the power of Web 2.0?"

If you're tracking a particular interest like cloud computing or social media (both are well represented judging by the number of sessions, personalities and event sponsors), do check out the calendar of sessions.

In time for the event and its participation at the Expo, Morph Labs launches the Morph AppCloud.

Web Finds:

Blogging:
George Orwell on Content Creation. Profound! Plus Writing for New Media. * Reading later or reducing open tabs, here are 11 Sites to help tide you over. * Apple and Disney say "No thanks" to DRM consortium. * Free textbooks isn't free education but is a welcome treat. * Asus Eee's got competition. Dell Inspiron Mini 9. * Simple Sharing via Drop.io * TC50 Controversy. * GoodGuide should have won according to RWW * Chrome Envy for Linux and Mac Users Solved

Monday, September 15, 2008

Kid McCloud is into Clouds but not the weather kind!

"I'm calling him, Kid McCloud! "

Cloud Computing: Boring may just be another word for Mainstream.

Ten Aspects of Web 2.0 Strategy That Every CTO and CIO Should Know.

Hubspot with Seth Godin: Short of magical.
8 Startup Insights.

Intellectual Property and Open Source: A Book Review

Best Practices in Social Media: Generosity.

Web Tools

Yammer. TC50 Winner! Cries of Foul? Other POV.

Dwigger & WebSourceIt.

How to make delicious more yummier.

Now for the rest that did not get the plum but got the nod.
TC50 and Demo Top Ten.

May not be winners but missed so much.
Apps we wish hadn't disappeared.

Friday, September 12, 2008

5 Insights on Piracy and morrre

Still curious why there's rampant piracy?

Been reading Kevin's piece on piracy and then saw Nick's post on it, too. And it just got a lot of people thinking and now look who's joined the fray. Kudos to Cliff-ski Harris for his honest effort which may be considered as a noble step to understanding pirates.

Piracy remains a contentious issue. Is it about economics where it is fair that people creating content should be compensated? Then, the question shifts to matters of ownership and harm. Where does the harm befall the most? Record companies or artists?

Few other things to consider:
1. Value. Does value have an effect on why people pirate stuff? If it is something perceptively valuable, is it more tempting for pirates or is it the other way around that because it is perceived as crap that there's really no harm done?

2. It's Technologically Easy. Current technology has made it relatively easy to pirate stuff. Yet, recent findings suggest that even putting DRM ultimately turned-off more people into buying stuff legally.

3. Ethics or Morals and Ideology. Is piracy a revolt of the masses against capitalism? It may be a case of personal beliefs deciding if piracy is something good or bad.

4. Virtual. Curiously, when talking about piracy now, it almost always refers to online piracy that Herr, Pirates of the Seas seems like more of a cinematic adventure when in fact it is still happening right now as ships continue to guard themselves against terrorists of the seas. Does it mean that abstracts and non-physical things are fair game where intellectual property is but a hazy concept?

5. Cropper or Middleman. If you take from the farmer, who toiled the land and worked for every bit of crop, you're guilty as hell of being a thief as compared to sniping away at what you consider as illegal profits from that crappy middleman in suits. Reminds me of Robin Hood who is a thief yet as beloved still that the character remains as a staple in kids books.
Web

Google Sketch-Up looks amazing. You should play the welcome video and get a glimpse of how a simple drawing immediately transforms into a 3D rendering.

Web Hosting's Top 25 Influential People

Why Adobe Air? Because 25 Million Downloads
means they're up to something good. Just trying out Feedalizr. Want to find out more? Here.

5 Ways to use Social Media to reach those who don't use Social Media.

StackOverflow General release and launch. This could become a real programmers and developers' hangout.

Top Social Bookmarking sites. Content matters but learn to share it, too and get web motivated.

Morph-ster News!
Morph Labs continues cloud seeding via the Morph AppSpace with new partnership with Project Locker.

Without a worthy opponent, Google 's destiny is to cross path with beast called Government

Jurisdiction, privacy, antitrust, compliance. These aren't the terms you'd likely associate the internet giant with. Most people would say that Google's bread and butter is it's search and search advertising but no one would argue that it's tentacles extends a far more wider reach than most could imagine (considering the continuous acquisitions).

There is a virtual graveyard for companies who tried to tackle Google head on and proof of man's valor (or stubbornness) is that there isn't a scarcity for those who keep on trying. Perhaps, it can be done but no doubt the Company has already achieved a humongous head start and has wisely used it's resources to completely dip it's hand to every possible emerging web niche while it can - office tools, mobile and cloud compute.

So, is there no one else left to challenge OmniGoogle's dominance? Can they just be allowed to scour every potential financial web roost and turn it into their own revenue machine? One might say it isn't true given the example of Youtube which remains without a cash stream. But then again, it is far from being a web loss and most feel that it is just a matter of time that Google figures something out. Perhaps the business idea hasn't existed yet but better to corner the hits early than to languish in obscurity.

But Google cannot forever tow the line and keep itself vaccinated within the protected womb of a tech world. Much as IT and the Web prides itself as apolitical and user-centric at its best, it cannot help cross and get its feet wet in the realm of regulations. Even as the SLA's and Terms of Service immediately move out of the way and disappear as soon as you click a box, you cannot help but be reminded that virtual realms ultimately are subjects of an offline and physical world.

And as Google, towers above everything, like a tree that is so full of ripe fruits, it just cannot be ignored. Google and most web companies are about innovation and innovation is most often 'boldly going where no man has ever gone before'. Innovation is as much about risks and at present, Google looms largest that even stepping on something trivial (or potentially stepping on one) is bad press waiting for to be blown out of proportion.

And if there is something we hate more than loss of connectivity and FailWhale, it is 'holier-than-thou sacred cows' that seemingly can't do anything wrong. Even worse, is that there is an institution that thinks itself as the legitimate one christened by something called votes.

And as they say, there can be only one.

Related:
What Laws Should Govern Computing Clouds
?