Steve D.

If you’re anything like me, and I’m fairly sure you are by virtue of the fact that you’ve read this far, then you probably have several old PCs laying around with outdated operating systems (if any) which serve as nothing more than collectors of dust bunnies and cobwebs.

PCs have a way of “wearing out” after heavy use. In fact, they tend to wear out without any use, but that’s another topic. By the time you buy any new technological gadget in this day and age, including PCs, it is virtually out of date by the time you even get it set-up. Being that the value of dilapidated machines are virtually “worthless”, there really are not a great deal of alternatives when deciding what to do with your tech junk.

Proposed solution:

This concept is very similar to an article I published a few months ago on Technorati/Technology about utilizing various web networking entities one may have floating around cyber-space, entitled Today’s Internet: A Brief Study in Discombobulation. The issue with machines is akin to that referred to by said article, the proposed solution is also very similar.

Allocate each idle machine to a unique purpose. For example, if you have several desktops, laptops, wireless hubs or printers, one purpose could be to set up a printer server. If you have video surveillance cams around your abode, you could dedicate an older machine to being a cam server. Need a brain to control home theaters or climate control systems? Voilà, your HP with the Pentium III has a new job! The possibilities go on and on but hopefully you catch my drift.

One of the main issues after deciding that your old junker PC has a re-birth in it’s future, is installing an operable and valid operating system. PCs, of course, deal mostly with Windows operating systems and Microsoft has tightened the belt on pirating and non-valid use of it’s operating systems since the days that many of the old machines were put into service. Therefore, one may wish to explore other alternatives (cheaper) than purchasing single or group licensing.

One that I found a couple of years ago was Ubuntu, a Linux type alternative, however, I never really was able to get it up and running for whatever reason and soon lost interest (gave up). There are a few others out there like Puppy Linux and OpenSUSE that appear to be favorably rated.

However, I recently discovered a slicker, open-source project while searching for information regarding the development of Japanese poetry forms called haiku. The name of the open-source project is… you guessed it, Haiku. When I first caught wind of it, it was still in it’s early stages and was more of a pipe-dream than a reality. As of last month, it is now released for public use. You can find it here: Haiku-os.org.

As I am now learning the ins and outs of the Haiku software, it’s too early to form an opinion of my own, but due to the fact that it is open-source implies that if it’s not a good product, it is entirely up to us as users and developers to make it good.

Hopefully, this post can provide some peace of mind, or any level of comfort for that matter, for those going through the conundrum that I’ve been experiencing the last few years.

Oh! And of course there is always the last resort of piling the old hardware into the back of a van and hauling it all off to the recycle center or city dump.

Steve D.

One of the features of Microsoft’s latest operating system, due out in December, is that it is supposedly streamlined to work efficiently with devices utilizing ARM technology.

The ARM (Advanced RISC Machine) concept is not new, as it was originally introduced in the early 1980s, but has grown to be the standard in mobile and other low-power, small circuity usages due to it’s simple architecture.

To prevent a repeat embarrassment as when Windows 7 was “leaked” prior to it’s official release date, Microsoft decided to “head it off at the pass” so to speak by offering interested parties a free look at the operating system.

Many critics are claiming that Windows 8 is merely Windows 7 with a few tweaks, but I decided to check it out for myself.

For those willing to take it for a spin for themselves, the link for official Windows 8 preview downloads is here.

The full version demo installation must be laid down over the current machine’s operating system (XP, Vista or Windows 7), however the smaller versions without the toolsets can be installed leaving existing files, user accounts and settings intact. Strongly based on Windows Phone 7, Microsoft uses the name Metro for the tile-based interface

Metro is Microsoft’s name for the Windows 8 tile-based interface that borrows heavily from Windows Phone 7.

Microsoft is persistent in reminding those interested in playing with the previews, that the software is “as is” and doesn’t recommend sampling “the goods” unless one is astute technically – “knows what their doing”.

The download site offers 64-bit and 32-bit versions of the operating systems, as well as disk image .iso formats for DVD or USB flash drive installation.

I have yet to install my demo but would be interested to hear from anyone else who may have delved into the new Windows 8.

Steve D.

The biggest competitor facing Google Wallet upon its initiation will be the multi-million-dollar mobile payment platform Isis scheduled to roll-out in the spring of next year. Isis is a joint product of Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile and will support a variety of smartphone devices including the Android.

Though this technology is new to us here in the U.S.A., a mobile payment system has been in place in Japan since 2004, though they only deal with a small number of contenders with NTT docomo, KDDI and Softbank being their main carriers.

Something within my intuition, a “gut feeling” perhaps, tells me that this phase of technological growth is going to be a major ground-breaking, revolutionary movement here in the capitalistic free world, changing how business will be conducted from here on out. And judging by the number of +1s it has already received on the website, this project is sure to make an impact.

Google Wallet – Make your phone your wallet!

Huh! That Adds new meaning to the term “put your money where your mouth is.”

Steve D. “steadwell”

Watson’s new client will be WellPoint Inc, based out of Indianapolis, Indiana, and the job will consist of sifting through the 34+ million patient database and analyzing each case against known treatments and pharmaceuticals. Indy has the pharmaceuticals covered as Eli Lilly also makes its home there.

IBM general manager Manoj Saxena says

“This very much fits into the sweet spot of what we envisioned for the applications of Watson,”

- while considering the marketing aspects of the machine.

WellPoint vice president Lori Beer agreed by stating;

“It’s really a game-changer in health care,”

Doctor and hospital patient records, insurance company history of treatments and medications as well as Watson’s huge repository of medical texts and journals will be the main inputs to the WellPoint application. Watson, IBM claims, has the capability to output multiple diagnoses ranked by confidence level in a matter of seconds as opposed to indefinite amounts of diligence required by human personnel.

“Imagine having the ability within three seconds to look through all of that information, to have it be up to date, scientifically presented to you, and based on that patients’ medical needs at the moment you’re caring for that patient,” – WellPoint chief medical officer, Sam Nussbaum.

The new application will eventually be accessible by ordinary computer or handheld device. According to Beer, patients will be able to eliminate the worry that the system will be used as a tool to aid insurers in the denial of benefits, as will not base a claim entirely on the decision of Watson.

Beer says,

“Ultimately the goal here is not denying treatment but getting people to the right care,”

- adding that the purpose of Watson is not to eliminate the human aspect, but to focus on offering health care providers tools to achieve better results thereby optimizing long-term costs to insurers.

In early 2012, a pilot program will be unveiled at several cancer centers, oncology practices and academic medical centers, according to Nussbaum.

WellPoint Inc. operates Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in 14 states and is the largest publicly traded health insurer nationally based on number of members.

How much is Watson’s billing rate? No one has divulged that yet, however; Saxena says that the last revenue earned by Watson was the $1 million it won on “Jeopardy!” earlier this year. That money was donated to charity.

Future jobs for Watson will most likely also be within the health care industry, however; financial services and public safety applications are also in view on the horizon, according to Saxena.

After showing up the top Jeopardy contenders, Watson should have the best analytical skills for the job and be at least competitive with most medical professionals.

Steve D.

Skype has released an application that can be downloaded through Apple’s App store. The app will be offered for free through this weekend only (Sunday, August 21st). This app allows internet access through public WiFi hotspots worldwide.

Previously known as Skype Access, the service allows the digital nomad access to public WiFi networks for checking emails or making Skype VoIP calls charged on a per-minute basis as opposed to buying an hour or day of service and as is a standard amenity at most hotels and conference centers.

Only the amount of time a user is online is charged and data uploads and downloads are unlimited.

The rates begin at $0.06 per minute and may vary depending on WiFi operator. As a promotion, four 15 minute sessions up to 1 full hour will by offered free by Skype through the weekend.

First news of the Skype WiFi app originated from The Big Blog – Everthing new at Skype’s HQ.

Steve D.

Yesterday, I noticed an article that our nation’s President, Barack Obama has become a user and advocate of the social networking mobile application foursquare.

Until recently, I confused foursquare with Squarespace, the blogging platform – they are both gaining prominence in their respective arenas. Following the lead of our leader, I subscribed to the site and being of insatiable curiosity explored the facets, features and usages of foursquare. By becoming an aficionado on certain topics and locations, in addition to winning a variety of badges, a user can achieve the level of “Mayor” by accruing enough activities (checking into a location regularly with your mobile device).

Foursquare has a long way to go to compete with the likes of facebook or the following of twitter, but I think that they will be around a while and are certain to make quite an impact. After all, they have the President, and that’s a pretty sizeable impact right there!

Note: The President has yet to achieve foursquare “Mayor” status at The White House or The Oval Office.

Steve D.

“The more successful you become, the bigger your legal team needs to be. Or so it seems. Competitors, ex-employees and nut jobs all want a piece of the action. And if it’s not them, it’s the government trying to to curb your reach.” – Jenise Henrikson

The Dark Side of Success: Google in the Courtroom | Search Engine Journal.

Steve D.

Source: SEO & Search Engine News: SEJ

Checking the integrity of links on an older website of mine, I discovered that the link to Digital_Nomads was broken. The site was gone. After searching through tech news archives, I found this:

New York Times reporter says he’s an unwitting Dell shill [Great Moments In Journalism].

But that incident occurred back in 2008 when Dell was just kicking-off their “Digital Nomads” identity campaign.

Digging a little further, Digital Nomads – Wall | Facebook states:

We want to thank all of you for being fans of this page that Dell created to help connect Digital Nomads in the connected era. Recently, we launched a new Dell for Business page with a broader focus and this page will soon be merged into it. If you’d like to connect on industry trends, discuss issues your business is facing and learn how to move your business forward with Dell technology and services, please join us there! http://del.ly/6039JuB.

Dell for Business

Dell offers technology and services that work hard so you can move your business forward.

November 15, 2010 at 10:41am via Sprinklr

It appears that Dell gave up their “Digital Nomads” campaign in less than 2 years, though with new campaigns always in the works.

Of course, the term “digital nomad” is a label applied to the lifestyle of an individual caught up in web2.0 and now cloud – always on the move and very portable. The lifestyle is getting stronger everyday and you can still follow them on twitter at @Digital_Nomads and using the hashtag #digitalnomads.

Being a subscriber to the Dell campaign and rather liking it, I was slightly disappointed that the site was shut down, however; the basis is still alive. Plus, I use a Dell Aspire One for everyday use.

Steve D. – just a Dude on a Dell

Extracted from my website forums, this issue has been eating away at me for several days. As of now it is aired out into the open and I feel a little better about that.

The the initial topic in the “Google AdVerse” forum is accessible through this link: Google AdVerse: They Must Have Been Watching Me Read About Their Scam! with permissions applied allowing all to view. Forum registration is required in order to reply on the issue which is unfortunate yet necessary.

“I swear, it wasn’t more than a matter of hours after reading a few posted articles about the Google AdSense and AdWords scam that they disabled my account! The reasoning was vague but decisive and seems to be pointing to “invalid clicks” as their justification. Even after appealing, they not only disabled my AdSense but removed my Affiliates from the entire options panel.

I’ve been subscribed to AdSense for over three years and never made a dime from them. My earnings listed were less than $2.00 USD from the time I subscribed until May of this year. When I noticed that a particular blog article of mine was getting a high level of traffic, I thought that perhaps I should pay more attention to the AdSense thing and insert some pertinent type ads into the article. I even propagated AdSense ads through-out my website and into my core WordPress templates. I thought that it seemed to do a nice job of using contextual ads. I also noticed that my earnings report was starting to show some activity.

As I was inserting AdSense into my sites, I was also adding plugins to render the sites for mobile devices. By using Safari extensions, I was able to emulate iOS devices without the need of actually acquiring the devices. I was still in the process of testing out the functionality of the plugins as well as the ads when they pulled the plug on me for alleged “invalid clicks”. I’ve been using Google Analytics on practically a daily basis for years now and I have filters set to screen my own IP from inclusion in their data. Why would that filter not apply to my supposed “invalid clicks”?

After three months of so-so activity, my balance climbed to around $20.00 USD, including what was previously “earned” over the last few years.

Now they claim to not owe me a red cent.

The amount of revenue involved in this nonsense is miniscule, however, the principle of the whole thing is what irks me. After finally giving into their aggressive marketing approaches, they arrogantly, impulsively cancel my account without warning or hardly any prior correspondence at all for that matter.

I had also read that Barnes & Noble has dropped its advertising relationship with Google just days before. Could that explain their “cleaning house” antics? Also, many major sites have been hacked recently which effected my WordPress and IceRocket services. WordPress rolled-out 2 releases within a week to patch their hack and IceRocket lost data due to their hit. I wonder if Google got “hit” and lost data as well and are using the “invalid clicks” bull-shit as an excuse to “cover their asses”. That would sound logical to me, especially in light of all of the negativity being expressed around the net about these guys. I firmly believe that “where there is smoke, there is fire”, now I’ve been burned by that fire.

In the past, I’ve always felt an allegiance to Google and use many of their products and services with great satisfaction, however, this has changed my view on the entire operation.

BTW, Google “disabled my adsense account” and you will see severed heads rolling all over the cyber-realm.

More on this later… “

…………………………………………….

Reply later added by myself, the forum administrator:

“It did not take them long to reply to my appeal. After thanking me for my “side of the story” their decision stands. Did they even read “my side of the story”? Probably not.

I have now installed a couple of other ad services, a couple that I had used in the past and still had an active account with, and another new one (new to me anyway) called AdBrite. AdBrite seems to be the highest rated alternative to AdVerse. All the top notch services have been acquired by Google.

Imagine that!

Google – todays’ Cyber Monopolizer ”

Steve D.