Author Archive

Ah, this was the America that everyone loved. Winnebago Man sums up how many feel!

Drill Baby Drill! How Much Oil Has Leaked Into the Gulf of Mexico?

Will the ruptured well head of BP’s wrecked Deepwater Horizon spewing thousands if not millions of barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, the outlook is not promising. How much is leaking seems to be a mystery but there are a wide range of estimates. Regardless the outcome has been disastrous and time will tell the impact on the fragile Gulf eco-system.

According to NOAA, an estimated 210,000 gallons (5,000 barrels) a day is coming from the remaining ruptures. At that rate, this leak would surpass the 11 million gallons spilled by the Exxon Valdez in 1989 in mid-June if left unchecked.

Outside experst say it over 1 million gallons per day. BP’s worst case is 2.5 million gallons.

Thanks to PBS.org for this meter.

Crazy Technology Predictions for 2020

OK, so I am not an oracle or a CIO, CTO or App. Developer, but I am a bit of a techno geek and anything that has to do with new technology does intrigue and interest me.

If you particularly think about the web technology that exists today in 2010 and look back 10 years to 2000, you are blown away by the changes and advancement. This has not only been spurred on by both hardware and software development from large companies like Apple, IBM, HP, Intel and Microsoft to name a few but also by thousands of smaller micro companies and individuals who invent things along the way, throw them out there and see if they stick. No Facebook, Twitter or YouTube ten years ago and now today we couldn’t imagine the web without them.

Just recently there were some stats published that internet usage has surpassed TV viewing and social networking as jumped past email in terms of use. These are major changes in the technology ecosystem.

So here it is. My list of “things” that will be a memory (Or 90%+ on it’s way out) in the next ten years because of the advancements mentioned above.

1. Mail – There have been already large reductions in tradional mail and these declines will continue. Infrastructure and therefore costs are too large.

2. Newspapers – The conventional paper printed on newsprint with ink. Bye Bye. Replaced with online versions deliverred on iPad’s, tablets, iPhones, smartphones and other mobile devices as well as the web. Many news outlets producing content today will also die a slow death.

3. TV News – One word. REDUNDANT. With streaming video, micro-blogging, and citizen journalism, TV news will not survive, just not fast enogh to get you the news when you want it. The rest of TV programing will be affected as well but later on that one.

4. Home phones – These will be made redundant by wireless mobile devices and internet protocol calling. Video conferencing is now all over the web so it will also migrate more fully to wireless.

5. Console Video Games – As bandwidth opens up to residences and more computing and development moves to the cloud. Say good bye to your XBOX, PS3 and Wii. Too slow and costly compared to what will be delivered through the web.

That’s it. Not conclusive but the best SWAG I can put into this blog. And no I didn’t use the “Magic 8 ball”.

The Bitching Senior Set! How the ‘Silent Generation” will wear us down and eat our souls!

Just an observation lately as I am out and around more in public during the weekday 9-5 hours.

Is it possible to complain more than a senior, I mean how bloody “bitchy” can old people be?

Now I don’t want to limited my definition of old people or seniors, but lets just categorize them as the ‘Silent Generation” as defined here. These are the wonderful folks who are technically retired and contribute to our society during their limited waking hours. Whether I come across them backing out or pulling into a parking spot at the local grocery store, waiting in line for a prescription at the pharmacy or god forbid in line at the Drive Licensing office; all I hear is whining and complaining. And the sense of entitlement is overwhelming. When did they get this “fuck you I’m old and I go first” attitude. Wasn’t their generation the hot bed of courtesy and decency in the our social evolution?

And the speed. Ok…I’m impatient, I will admit that, but short of close-lining “Granny” in order to get a shopping cart how can I get things moving. I did say excuse me but she didn’t hear me. (Deaf of course).

What discourages me is the level of service they demand in our self service society. They are the ones in the lineup at the bank, for what I do online in a fraction of the time – it’s called convenience. When I actually go to the bank it’s fucking important and the last thing I want to do is wait 45 minutes as the “blue rinse” gals get fucking money orders for their grand kids birthday cards….give them cash for Christ sake, there are six empty ATM’s over there.

Oh and here is the capper! 147 percent growth rate in the “senior set” population between now and 2050. In the US that means there will be 86.7 million people who will be 65 or older in the year 2050, that’s 21 of the population. I’m not gonna make it!

Facebook users blindly follow the “Google” oracle everywhere

It seems there are some serious inept Facebook users who when going to login into Facebook simply Google “Facebook login”. Since Facebook has made some changes lately to it’s login page it seems to have lost some Google ranking in the search for “Facebook login”. What took it’s place was on article from Read Write Web on AOL and Facebook integration. Here is the funny part…even after clicking on the first link in the Google search the FB users left comment on the RRW page indicating their displeasure with the “new” Facebook. So many comments were logged that RRW had to place a disclaimer in their post…see below.

RRW Disclaimer over Facebook login

HOW are you not able to find Facebook on the internet. Reminds me of some search stats from Google from lats year that had the Term “Google” ranking in the top ten. People Googled Google WTF?

“Green Police” – Very smart ad for Audi..Mocking environmentalists – bad?

You know everyone takes themself’s too seriously, I mean don’t be so bloody pious and snotty! I don’t see how this “smart” commercial for Audi is controversial. Does it mock the environmental movement?…YES, even if that was not (maybe not) the direct intention. Look, funny is funny, and the more you move to the right or left of the “politically’ correct centre then the funnier it is.

The tree huggers deserve some more bashing, they have had an easy ride for too long now.

Personally I like to grab a “BRICK” of napkins when I chow down on my calzones, fucking things are messy, what am I going to do, wear a towel??

Catch all the Super Bowl Ads here

Adblitz has provided all the Super Bowl ads on their You Tube channels as they happen.

Check it out here.

Oprah, Letterman and Leno together for Super Bowl Ad

Some PR for Letterman, maybe but I don’t think it was his show that needed the exposure. This looks like some agency execs effort at goodwill. It has some shock value. Still don’t think Leno is funny and Oprah? You know she could own either of their asses.