SMS vs Morse Code: The Speed Test
170-year old technology triumphs over text messaging. Samuel F. B. Morse would be proud.
Kearns: Faking it Online
In his Network World column this morning, Dave Kearns addressed the issue of online “pseudonymity” – the use of artificial or “fake” identities. He indicated that the use of a fake identity or fake persona online doesn’t automatically make one a criminal.
I acknowledge Dave’s reasoning, but propose that any attempt to use a false identity with the intent to defraud, harm another person or otherwise do mischief is at least unethical, if not criminal. I loathe the practice of people hiding behind the cloak of online anonymity or pseudonymity to do and say things they apparently do not have courage enough to do or say in the open.
A long time ago, one of my engineering professors told us, in essence, “Always be proud enough of something you produce that you will gladly put your name on it.” That is sage advice that bears repeating, even in the online world.
Technorati Tags: Anonymity, Pseudonymity
$3 Billion Companies: Sun and GM
The online Wall Street Journal showed these interesting statistics this morning:
| Market Cap | Cash from Operating Activities (Last Quarter) |
|
| Sun Microsystems | $2.8 billion | $148 million |
| General Motors | $3.0 billion | ($9,661 million) |
Here at Sun, we are often tempted to see the proverbial glass half-empty and draining fast.
However, being part of a business that generates positive cash flow in a quarter when the financial markets collapse and the king of the automotive industry hemorrhages $10 billion in cash isn’t so bad.
Plus, it’s nice to know Jonathan isn’t in front of Congress with tin cup in hand.
Technorati Tags: GM, Sun Microsystems
Help! I need water!
My son-in-law Garry Bartle sent me a link to this innovative use of Twitter:
“Botanicalls Kits let plants reach out for human help! They offer a connection to your leafy pal via online Twitter status updates to your mobile phone.”
Just think of all the people and things we could potentially attach Twitter-enabled sensors to: Grandma, Fido, Fluffy, my son’s car …
Thanks, Garry. I needed this bright spot of geeky tech stuff on this dreary Friday afternoon.
Welcome JavaFX
This morning at 6am PST, Sun officially opened the JavaFX.com website to launch the JavaFX Platform for developing “Rich Internet Experiences for all the screens of your life.”
The JavaFX Rich Client platform is “A platform and tools suite that offers distinct advantages to Web developers, Web designers, and Java developers that are building rich, connected experiences. … JavaFX provides a unified development and deployment model for building rich client applications that integrate rich immersive media such as audio and video, graphics, rich text and web services. JavaFX allows creative developers to program in a visual context thus helping them to bring their ideas to life quicker and better.”
The JavaFX SDK and related tools are now available for download from the JavaFX site.
I recommend viewing a short video where Sun VP Eric Klein provides a summary announcement.
Courage From a Distance
Back on November 11th, I posted a blog entitled “Innovation Requires Bold Courage.”
Today, an interesting related quote attributed to Aesop crossed my desk: “It is easy to be brave from a safe distance.”
I suppose this applies to all the armchair quarterbacks of the world and to all the folks who dream of innovation without really getting their hands dirty. For football players, really bold courage means giving it all on icy Lambeau field in January. For those who really innovate in technology, it means down-and-dirty, against-all-odds kind of innovation – a grind-it-out persistence in the face of criticism and doubt – not second guessing from the safe distance of the ivory tower.
I tip my hat to those who really innovate – and to those who brave the bitter cold of January football games in uncovered stadiums.
Technorati Tags: leadership, innovation, aesop, courage
