November, 2008

Heat of the Future

Heating and cooling are responsible for a big chuck of our carbon footprint. With winter on our doorsteps heating bills promise to add up but now there’s hope for a better tomorrow. “Pure Heat” is a technology that consumes 70% less energy than conventional heating methods. It can be applied to any solid surface, as demonstrated in a clear glass toaster. This heat of the future promises to revolutionize the way we build new structures and utilities. Imagine your windshield defrosting in less than a minute and ice-free roadways that have been retrofitted with Pure Heat.

I look forward to heated keyboards and mice to keep my fingers toasty and warm in the winter!

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World of Warcraft Players Feast on Wrath of the Lich King

Blizzard’s Wrath of the Lich King World of Warcraft release had record breaking sales of over 2 million copies in 24 hours. Many of the over 11 million subscribers will be trading an afternoon nap for online gaming when finished with their Thanksgiving feast. The rare holiday weekend is a perfect time to gather friends for questing and experience runs.

Enjoy turkey leftovers and plenty of pie while spending quality time with those you love. Whether your choice is online gaming, black Friday shopping, football games, or old fashioned conversation, take the time to enjoy being with loved ones this holiday season. My best to you and yours for a happy Thanksgiving.

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Book Review of Future Files: The 5 Trends That Will Shape the Next 50 Years

Future Files: The 5 Trends That Will Shape the Next 50 Years by Richard Watson is one of the few titles I’ve read cover to cover since starting my graduate work. It has continually held me attention, not an easy task, and made me more aware of the forces at work around me. When you get a spare moment I suggest picking it up and making the effort to read it through.

The theme that strikes me the most is that society, as a whole, will never choose technology to replace human interaction. There will always be those who prefer human to human contact. This gives me hope that children will be able to break free from electronics to explore the wonders inside the people around them. It’s where all hope lives.

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Unpaid Windows Vista Overtime

How would you feel if management required you to power on and off your computer every day? Not so bad, huh? Well, what if you are paid by the time you log in and off of that computer and it’s running Vista? I didn’t realize Vista could take up to 15 minutes to power up and shut down. Apparently it’s a problem because The Register reports several Employees sue for unpaid Windows Vista overtime. I’m not so keen on logging my time on the computer as I once was. I think I’ll tolerate scanning my employee card in the time clock a bit longer, thank you.

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Blu-Ray Pirates of the DVD

I knew it was just a matter of time before Blu-Ray pirating came into the spotlight. Pirates Prey on Blu-Ray DVD Format - WSJ.com details the latest trend in the copyright wars. Apparently there’s a substitute DVD format that is a a bit lower resolution than Blu-Ray but still passes for most consumers.

I understand busting up piracy rings that are mass producing content but how to deal with consumer piracy? I sit next to man who always copies the DVDs he rents to add to his personal collection. What about folks like him? Should he be considered just as guilty as pirates out for a profit? Or is it too little to be of consequence? I don’t have the answers, but maybe you do. Sound off in the comments section and let me know what you think!

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NPR’s Gift Card Warning

I find holiday shopping depressing enough, what with the display of rabid consumerism that begins before November arrives. But wait! This morning NPR issues a Gift Card Warning: Check Retailer’s Health before buying. Remember all those gift cards the Sharper Image decided it couldn’t afford to honor when it went bankrupt? Well consumers are worried it will happen again.

Personally, I’m going the DIY route for gifts this year, so I better get back to my crochet now!

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The danger of e-mails - IT Project Management

Take a moment to benefit from the wisdom of Yusef Sanwati and read The danger of e-mails - IT Project Management.

When I’m angry and need to shoot off a fiery email I address it to myself, not the actual recipient. Usually I choose my home email address and then delete the saved sent copy. This affords me a few advantages. 1) If I’m really determined to send that email I have to retrieve it from home. (Non-work email is blocked.) 2) Time passes between the initial felt emotion and revisiting the content of the email. 3) I have saved documentation of the event on a non-business computer.

If I have a legitimate complaint I can better phrase it after letting the initial emotional response fade away. When an email is just for the purpose of relieving stress and work pressures I avoid self-embarrassment and potential negative career consequences.

I found just an email like this when I was going through my employment files on my computer to put together a portfolio. The letter was never sent and the issues were never dealt with. I was working for a husband and wife run business that wasn’t going to change and I was searching for a new position. My best option was to write the email and send it to myself.

Next time you feel like speaking your mind, try sending it to yourself first!

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Wrath of the Lich King Midnight Signings

I admit I’m not a fan of MMORPGs but I could be. So here’s to the release of the latest WoW expansion with a list of Wrath of the Lich King Midnight Signings so you, too, can be one of the first in line! Huzzah!

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Ambitious IT Careers

Are you ambitious?

I like the definition of ambitious from Wordnet of, “having a strong desire for success or achievement.” Given this context, are you ambitious?

Think of this another way. Are you content, fulfilled, satisfied, or unassuming? If yes, then you’re not ambitious. Now I think this can be compartmentalized between different facets of a person’s life. I’m very content in my home and social life. However, I strive for an ambitious IT career. It is not good enough for me to have a Bachelor’s degree, I must earn my Master’s. It’s not good enough to earn an MBA, mine has to be certified. I can’t be content with a day job and night classes, I have to search for freelance work, as well. These may be signs of the over-achiever but I know a busy schedule is the best road towards high functioning. I learn nothing sitting on the couch watching television or hiding in the office playing computer games. Gaming is no longer a favorite pastime of mine. Instead, it’s a past time in my life.

Be ambitious. Achieve more. Reach higher.

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Amazon.com Recommended for Me

It’s no secret that Amazon.com tries hard to sell consumers more stuff. Their log-in takes one directly to a list of recommendations based on previous history. Today I actually took the time to read the categories Amazon deduced might interest me and thought I would share them here.

Amazon Recommends Suzanne Buy Items in the Following Categories:

.NET; Adventure & Thrillers; Classics; Cognitive Psychology; Computers & Internet; Database; Storage & Design; Eau de Parfum; Eau de Toilette; Embroidery; Fantasy; French; Girls; Management; Marketing; Men’s; Motivational; Needlework; Neuropsychology; Neuroscience; Programming Languages; Science Fiction; Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic; Sprays; Visual Basic

Apparently I like programming computers to interact with smelly girls and boys with a penchant for the fantastic with a hint of foreign intrigue. (I can’t help but think that “Motivational Needlework” is the next great management technique for increasing worker productivity.)

Next time you’re feeling a bit lacking in creativity check out what Amazon recommends. Try not to chuckle out loud at your own twist on the category mix- I dare you.

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