Last Post

I procrastinated once again and it looks like I'll come up a little bit short.
I really enjoyed both 279 and 379, it was nice to get a break from introductory classes without much substance. The real-life experience is really the best experience I've had at EMU so far. I would like to take the Practicum, but I'd like to have at least one term off over the summer more.

Thanks Bud

Microsoft Docs and Facebook? Already In Testing Phases

Microsoft unveiled a Facebook oriented web-based Microsoft Office suite today. The new apps will function just like Google Docs, with in-browser editing and sharing. Its good to see that Microsoft understands what must be done in the future.

Target will carry Kindle

It appears to be official now that Amazon and Target have signed an agreement to sell the Kindle device in Target stores. The Kindle will first appear in Target's flagship store in Minneapolis and 102 south Florida stores starting April 25. Kindle will start to appear in the rest of Target stores through out the remainder of the year.

The Aftermath Of Volcanic Ash

Many European governments have been taking some flak for their decision to ground planes for several days, and then reopening them. Airlines totaled losses over $2billion, and air travel in Europe ground to a halt for several days. The airlines are upset about the high volume of stranded passengers looking for backlogged flights.

McAfee Anti-Virus Mistakes Windows File for Virus

A McAfee update posted at 9:00 AM caused computers worldwide to continuously reboot. The update causes McAfee's Antivirus software to mistake an essential windows file for a virus. Everyone from hospitals to Intel has suffered from the mistake, delaying surgeries and preventing many non-emergency surgeries.

McAfree update killing Windows XP

From this story at engadget it appear that a recent virus update from McAfee is causing problems. Apparently, virus update 5958 is deleting the svchost.exe file. In return this is causing a false positive and XP machines are then caught in an endless restart cycle. Rumor has it that everyone from Intel to Dish Network call centers have been affected by this problem.

RIch Rod Hesitant To Name A Starter

Just like this time last year, Michigan's football coach is undecided about the quarterback situation. All three quarterbacks are youthful and inexperienced, but all three had strong showings in recent spring games. I hope he doesn't wait until the season begins to choose a starter again.

Close Encounters with Steve Jobs

I know many people go gaga over meeting Steve Jobs. I never realized it had reached such a level after spending a few moments reading these articles at Gawker. I have been a few feet from his car and see him from a distance on the Apple Campus, but it is amazing just how much of a cultural icon he has become. I personally admire his accomplishments and always review his presentations in the hopes I can learn from him.

Android OS on the iPhone

I don't usually read Gizmodo but just received this from a friend. In appears that there is a hack to allow the iPhone to run the Android OS. Currently the hack only works for the original iPhone and is a little buggy but given some time I'm sure that will change.

my last blog

Ok, so here is my last blog. Its been a great class. I learned alot about search marketing and I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I think after the practicum Ill have all the tools I need to make enough money to pay off my student loans.

Here is an article about the student loan dilemma. Whats not mentioned in this article is about how alot of what were are taugt is worth much.

I'm really banking on a return on my investment from the last three classes I will take at EMU.

Kudos Professor Gibson! Kudos!

iPad in Japan

I wanted to share this article that Peter Payne wrote for TUAW a few days back. Peter is an entrepreneur, business owner and all around good guy who has spent many years living in Japan. As Peter points out it has not been all roses for recent Apple products in Japan. The iPhone had a very difficult time getting accepted in Japan. I remember many female friends - my wife included - saying the iPhone was not suitable for woman because it first lacked emoji. However, I think the iPhone has paved the way in conservative Japan. Unlike the iPhone, the iPad has already sparked the interest of many Japanese. I have heard from two of my friends in Japan that its not safe to go out with their iPad since it creates crowds wanting to know more.

Fastest Internet Speed

I was surprised to see from this article at InformationWeek the three fastest internet access speeds where in the states. On the other side of the report, I wasn't surprise that 48 of the top 100 cities where all in Japan. From experience I can tell you not only are access speeds faster, but it cost less for internet access in Japan than it does here in the states. The three countries with fastest access speeds are South Korea, Hong Kong and Japan.

Embracing the digital book

This article by Craig Mod, "Embracing the digital book" was a really fascinating read. In it he talks about the state of e-book readers and e-books as a whole. I agree with argument that it is the e-book reader that is spoiling the experience of reading a book. Personally I find him reinforcing in my mind the things I don't like about the iBook reader. We do need to stop locking books up with DRM restrictions. Liza Daly's definition of a modern e-book reader is spot on.

"A truly modern e-reader is one that is intimately connected to the Web and allows a user to make queries as a series of asides, while reading or after immersive reading has ended."

Visa Buys CyberSource

Visa buying CyberSource is an indicator that Internet activity is on the rise. Its good that those of us in search marketing are jumping on the band waggon.

Facebook and Microsoft Team Up

Just read a short article from Mashable that FaceBook and Microsoft are teaming up on a collaborative document-editing tool. The product of their labors is already available in beta at Docs.com. These tools will allow users to create Microsoft Office document that can be shared on Facebook. According to the side the tools are built on Microsoft Office 2010.

Advent of the mobile device

We spent a lot of time in IS379 talking about mobile devices. How the market has grown and how it is poised to shape not only the future of the internet but the future of non-internet markets. I know I never imagined myself returning full circle to writing code again. I have found myself spending more and more time with Objective-C and other variants of the C language. Companies ask if I have any experience with creating mobile content. Just the other day, one of my staunch Windows friends ask me to help him get up to speed with XCode and the iPhone SDK. One thing is for sure, the future of the internet and computers will never be boring.

Apple vs. HTC

Not sure why but many people are of the opinion that Apple is worried about HTC. It might be due to the by recent Apple lawsuit again HTC. If so then the argument is a little bit weak. Apple has always been very protective of its patents. Without a doubt HTC is an outstanding device manufacturer. After reading this article from PetaPixel on the HTC Incredible I could almost switch to an Android device.

NASA

The immensity of the universe never ceases to amaze me. Here is some cool stuff from NASA. This article is about NASA Solor Dynamics Observatory launched in February.

Anti Virus

There is nothing worse than Anti-virus software causing havoc. I have always thought from a consumers point of view McAfee was too expensive. I use AVGfree version.

Music

http://http://www.33rpm.com/Start-A-Profitable-Internet-Record-Label-For-Free-2919-art.htmlI have always had a passion for music. I have studied and performed music for about 20 years now and I am loving the tech changes to the industry. Now you can record and produce a album directly from home, and the music industry is slowly but surely converting to the web.