Thursday, May 28, 2009

BING: What it really means... Acronym definitions.

Fair warning - this post should be considered time-wasting and the reader is hereby warned of the extreme lack of value that will follow this disclaimer.

So I was thinking about Microsoft's Bing search, err... decision engine today and couldn't help but jumping on the "what does it really mean" bandwagon. Here are some of my ideas, I'm sure there are hundreds more. Vote for your favorites and if you have some of your own, by all means comment away.
  • BING: But it's not Google (source: Twitter)
  • BING: Ballmer: "I need Gates!"
  • BING: Because it's no good
  • BING: Betsy - I'm now gay
  • BING: Beautiful images no guts
  • BING: Booze is needed greatly
  • BING: Brian Is Now Goofy! (thanks: @marcusatmsft


I did warn this post would be a waste of your time. :-p

Thursday, May 14, 2009

No More Excuses: Google makes switch from Yahoo, Hotmail, AOL easy

If you are one of the large number of users stuck using AOL or wanting to migrate from Yahoo or Hotmail to Google's Gmail, it just got a whole lot easier.

TechCrunch has details of Google's new migration tools.

Now, I'd encourage users to take it one-step-further. Sign up for Google Apps, register a domain name and create your own name@business.com or name@yourname.com email address with a domain YOU control. Google Apps is free and a domain registration is $8-10/year.

Then whenever you change email service providers, intern providers, you can take your email address with you!

You'll thank me later.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

140: The Twitter Conference - #tshirt Contest Winner!

I love simplicity.

This might be why I fell in love with Twitter. The requirement to get to the point in less than 140 characters mandates brevity. With this abbreviated burst of communication, my ADD-esque distraction tendencies, and my naturally snarky sense of dialogue, Twitter is perhaps the most perfect medium for me (@BMW).

It comes, then, as no surprise (to me anyway) that my short, to-the-point entry into the 140 | The Twitter Conference T-shirt contest for free conference admission (and, of course bragging rights), announced in early April. The contest rules simple:
come up with a better phrase for the back of the T-shirt, win a free seat at the conference


Apparently, my entry:

#tshirt

Was exactly the sort of cleverness judges (event speakers as I understand) were looking for.

For me, it was just another day fit into 140 character updates.

My contest submission, in entirety:



Learn more about the event, May 26th & 27th, 2009 at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, CA.



From the "140" site:
"We’re bringing together the top gurus in the Twitosphere to discuss all things Twitter, from understanding the business value of Twitter to exploring the what makes a great Twitter app."

Simple as that! Now, who's going? Guess I am now!

Monday, April 27, 2009

Ignite Seattle April 29 Schedule Released

Brady, pioneer of the now worldwide Ignite format of talks, sent out the schedule for the next Ignite Seattle. The event takes place Wednesday, 4/29 at downtown's King Cat Theatre. The event is free.

7PM - Doors Open

7:30 PM - Paper Tower Contest Begins - Build the tallest tower you can out
of just 5 sheets of paper and tape (See Details)

8:30 - First Set of Talks
Hillel Cooperman (@hillel) - The Secret Underground World of Lego
Dawn Rutherford (@dawnoftheread) - Public Library Hacking
Roy Leban (@royleban) - Worst Case User Experience: Alzheimer’s
Shelly Farnham (@ShellyShelly) Community Genius: Leveraging Community to
Increase your Creative Powers
Dominic Muren (@dmuren) - Humblefacturing a Sustainable Electronic Future
Ken Beegle (@kbeegle) - Decoding Sticks and Waves
Maya Bisineer (@thinkmaya) - Geek Girl - A life Story
Scott Berkun (Scottberkun.com)- How and Why to Give an Ignite Talk
Scotto Moore (Scotto.org)- Intangible Method

9:45 PM - Second Set of Talks
Secret Guest Speaker from Ignite Portland
Mike Tykka - The Invention of the Wheel
Jen Zug (@jenzug) - The Sanity Hacks of a Stay At Home Mom
Jason Preston (@Jasonp107) - Goobye Tolstoy: How to say anything in 140
characters or less
Chris DiBona (@cdibona) - The Coolness of Telemedicine
Ron Burk - The Psychology of Incompetence
Katherine Hernandez (@ipodtouchgirl) - The Mac Spy
Jamie Gower JamieGower.com) - I Am %0.0002 Cyborg
Beth Goza (@bethgo) - Knitting in Code

RSVP: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=68373213866

Wearable HD: VholdR Launches ContourHD, Avail. Soon

My Seattle-based friends at VholdR have launched their second wearable camcorder, the ContourHD just in time for Summer outdoor sports!

The ContourHD high-definition upgrade to the action-sports wearable camera I featured on KOMO-TV's Northwest Afternoon after CES 2008. The new version sports 720p 30fps or standard-definition 'high action' 60fps (TV, as you know, is 30fps) video, up to 16GB memory MicroSD memory cards for longer recording, and maintains the simple slide-to-start/slide-to-stop ease that made the original popular with the action sports community.

Add to the high definition camera an online community for sharing videos, VholdR has a recipe for success in this troubled economy.

“ContourHD is the perfect camcorder for the weekend warrior in your life who is skiing, boarding, mountain biking, or even riding a motorcycle,” Marc Barros, VholdR’s CEO explaisn. “ContourHD and our Easy Edit software are making HD action video easy to shoot and share online in seconds.”

The ContourHD will be available from REI, Amazon.com, on VholdR.com and action sports retailers nationwide. Suggested price: $299. For a list of locations accepting pre-orders, visit VholdR.com.

I spoke with CEO Marc Barros earlier this morning. He tells me he's excited to get away from his desk now that the new camera has launched. Congratulations Marc and the entire VholdR team on an exciting launch!

CountourHD Features (from VholdR Press Release):

2 Video Settings
High Definition: Fill your screen with vivid, widescreen (16:9) action video. With a full 1280x720 (pixels) window and 30 frames per second, your videos will be just how you remember them, big and awesome!

High Action: Ideal for making the fastest adventure sports appear as smooth as butter. Recording standard definition video at 60 frames per second (twice as many frames as TV quality video) you won’t miss any of the action.

Record over 8 Hours of HD Video
ContourHD can record up to 8 hours of HD quality video or 16 hours of SD quality video to an internal microSD memory card (compatible up to a 16GB memory card). Powered by a removable, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, this robust camera recharges through a USB cable connected directly to your computer.

Wide Angle Lens:
At 135 degrees, the new ContourHD lens strikes the perfect balance in capturing the entire scene without over-distorting the video.

Wearable Anywhere
Patent-pending TRailTM Mounts “slide and lock” ContourHD onto a series of different mounts for your goggle, helmet, handlebar, vehicle, or anywhere else you want to mount it. Wear HD video on more than just your head.

One Button Simplicity
ContourHD’s operation couldn’t be simpler with a single oversized record switch (to be operated even with a pair of gloves on) and click to share software.

Laser Alignment
Two lasers and a 192o rotating lens ensure you line up the shot every time. Turn on the lasers and rotate the front lens until the two laser points are horizontally aligned.

Armored Body
A water-resistant camera for all seasons its light (4 ounces/116 grams) anodized aluminum body withstands dust, dirt, mud, and snow.

Easy Edit Mac and PC Software
Easy Edit™ software (Mac and PC compatible) makes it automatic to import your videos from the camera, clip out the best parts, and share them to VholdR.com.

Friday, April 24, 2009

InnoTech 2009: Live on Newsradio 750 KXL

The 6th Annual InnoTech conference was by many accounts, the best yet. A complete report is coming soon, but for now check out clips of my live radio reports, as heard on Newsradio 750 KXL, from Thursday morning.



Listen to Report 1 (6:40am): Innotech eMarketing Summit Day 1 recap, economic impact of IT spending, green computing, should you blog? (feat. Marshall Kirkpatrick, Rick Turoczy and Josh Bancroft), preview of IT Executive of the Year Awards honoring Trail Blazers CIO Chris Dill.

Listen to Report 2 (8:40am): Should you upgrade to Microsoft Windows 7, preview of Rahaf Harfoush keynote on social media during Obama campaign, Apple iPhone sales results

Check back for more coverage from InnoTech Portland 2009.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Earth Day: Green(er) Gadgets on The Square Live @ 7 w/Stephanie Stricklen (KGW-TV)

KGW.com The Square Logo



Mentioned during the segment:





Watch the video on KGW.com.