Future network on my Vizio 48'' HDTV

I purchased my first true flat screen TV which is my new Vizio 48"" HDTV 1080P. I did my research on Plasma, LCD, and LED technology. The LED technology provides a superior picture in all lighting situations. The picture clarity and definition is amazing. The LED technology is a little more expensive, but well worth it.

While doing my product evaluation, I was not sure how much value Wi-Fi and and web applications would provide. After using the web applications, they are definitely worth having. The applications I like the best is Netflix. Watching movies is seamless and you do not experience the drag and disconnects you see on the Xbox. Early morning leisurely movies on the week end are fantastic. After using web applications, you can see how how media is moving towards web content and personal media libraries.

The pre-installed applications that I really like include: Netflix, Twitter, Facebook, Web Videos that include content from Fox, WB, TMZ, SHOWTIME,  4O additional channels.  The is a widget Gallery that includes additional web applications that can be down loaded at any time. Media outlets are writing applications to publish content over the web on a continuous basis. Here is an example of applications available for download: Fox5 Las Vegas, Snap (share your life),  Live Traffic, Movies Demand, etc. I recommend the Vizio LED HDTV. By the way, set up and installation was a breeze.

I am currently interested Vizio the company!

Google maps GPS navigation

Use your Android phone for GPS navigation via Google maps.


Google maps is built into Android devices so the set up is relatively simple. To use Google maps as your GPS, complete the following:

1. Turn on local Stand alone GPS service (settings, locations, security)
2. Select Google maps on home screen
3. Accept Google service agreement
4. Google maps will typically calculate your location based on GPS signal availability
5. Select options button                           
6.       You will be prompted to enter start (my location GPS) and End point (destination)
7.    Google maps will give you directions, miles, time based on traffic (you can switch to transit, walk, bike mode)
8.    Finally you can view directions base on map or navigation (voice and turn navigation)

This can be quite handy if you want to save on purchasing separate GPS system.

Personal justice, pursuit of happiness

As I headed past the Boston financial district heading to serve as a federal juror, I could not help but ponder if justice would been served, would I have to determine someone fate? I hurried past  an unhappy group of occupy Boston people who had obviously felt justice had not been served.  The signs and sentiment was corporate greed and  government mistrust was prevalent in this camp?  This was a big wow, and how did these people get to this point?

There was a distinct feeling of sadness for the unemployed and many hurting people. Still I had to rush to jury duty to complete my civic duty. Once settle among my peers, I walked out to the lobby and viewed a spectacular view of the Boston harbor. I distinctly imagined sitting on the deck of a beautiful boat enjoying a cup of coffee,the sunrise, and simplistic happiness. Hopefully soon rather than later.


Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, after all was what made America great. As I completed my civic duty and headed homeward bound, I realized that each person should try to make the world a better place. Life can become so hectic and the pressure intense, we neglect to enjoy simplistic happiness. May the road to justice lead us to a better place!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Life’s Bucket list review

1.       Be happy -- find a way to achieve happiness and peace. “Money cannot by happiness”
2.        Challenge yourself physically and mentally. Everyone needs a reason to get out of bed.
3.     Strive for perfection, but do not be hard on yourself if you fall short.
4. 
   Find and develop hobbies:    My hobbies and  challenges include: Kite boarding, surfing, wake boarding, sailing, golf, snowboarding , snow mobile in the clouds, landscaping, etc.
5. Travel and see the world and make some friends along the way. Destination list: Hawaii, Miami, Aruba, Bermuda, Hilton Head, new destinations I have not seen yet.
6. Make the world a better place.

American Economics according to the left and right, my solution

American economics and balancing the federal budget  appears to be a distant pipe dream. Regardless of which political ideology you follow:
Left, Right, or Independent, balancing the budget has never been a priority. The financial markets and confidence have diminished as the economy has been shaky and lay offs of USA workers have continued.

The Left has always lived by the motto of raising taxes and spending to support increased social programs to help solve society's issues.  This policy worked great when we had economic growth and subsequent high tax revenues. We were able to make historic reductions in the federal deficit during unprecedented economic growth.

The Right has always lived by the motto of lower taxes, lower spending on social programs, but increased spending on defense and the military. This policy works well during economic growth, but seems to do very little to reduce the federal deficit.  The posturing and political wrangling has usually resulted in congressional gridlock.

Both ideologies do not work well when we are in an economic recession.  The combination of sending USA jobs overseas by many corporatiosn, hand outs and wasteful spending, have caused many hardships for the average American.

Both the Left and Right must move toward the center where we have the correct balance of spending, tax reductions, elimination of hand outs and wasteful spending. It may be time for us to make a run at correcting issues that are important to us. So, who is with me?

Writing applicaions on a modern platform

As cloud computing evolves, developing application interfaces is an emerging niche. The cloud service become a valuable tool when it improve service and decreases cost. This is difficult to accomplish but companies must be able meter usage and charge for services provided.

Some of the more popular cloud offerings are: Google business applications, Microsoft Azure Office 365, connectivity applications for iPad, Playbook, and the many tablets that are being introduced in to the market.

Here is a review of the Platform: iOS SDK and available tools: The tool set to develop on Mac, iPhone, iPad uses Xcode 4.02, iOS SDK 4.3 Integrated developer  Environment. The cost is $99 per year. The developer program allows for writing, testing/debugging, and distributing apps through iTunes App store.

Goal is write first application for iPad solving a business problem.

Once the application is completed Apple must approve placement on App store which is a long time consuming process.

The Apple platform has a unique advantage in applications can run on desktops, notebooks, tablets and smart phone which is great for the customer base you server.

Google business Apps corporate email migration

The corporate cloud email migration to Google business Apps has advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages of Google cloud email are: savings related server builds, email licensing, spam, greater disk space for user inboxes.

There disadvantages to Google email in the cloud are: having to migrate Corporate email to Google cloud, switching DNS servers, Google sync issues (very slow), lost emails, calendars, and contacts to mention a few.

Having Completed a migration, there many challenges, difficulties, and frustrations involved.

One thing to consider when migrating to Google business Apps is mobile Cellular devices. Google Apps connector for Blackberry Enterprise does not work well with Blackberries. Typically mobile users must be migrated to Andriod devices for the solution to work. That being said, good luck if you are considering a move.

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Shell Shocked in honor of the military

I had the honor of doing volunteer work umpiring baseball at Fenway park. The baseball ball game was to raise money for the Boston foundation.

The Boston Foundation helps many service men and women deal with post tramatic syndrome after returning home from war. They cover expenses not covered by insurance such: medication, psychologist, hospitalization for post tramatic syndrome.

We should thank the military service personal for service and dedication in very difficult circumstances. The war on terrorism has subjective people to seeing death and destruction that the mind is not ready to cope with.

I hope the service men and women come home safely and are able to adjust back in to civilian life. To deal with life threatening altering situations, your survival instinct kicks in.

When your are getting bombarded from all sides you become shell shocked. To survive in the most dier situations, you must alter your thinking to survival mode.
A singular postive thought,while removing yourself and compartmentalized your experience, in essence protecting your spiritual being. God bless our military!

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Mobile life

As smart phones have improved technology in many phase to include social media. Most technical savvy users get a good portion of their information from the web including: Face book, Twitter, and many online sources. The ability to choose and run all kinds of applications on Blackberry, Android, and iPhone as made our live truly mobile.






Many people now spend more time on their smart phone, iPads, lap tops than speaking to friends and family. We spend a majority of our time communicating through our mobile devices. We communicate with each other via Facebook, texting, blogging, and occasionally make a phone call.

The mass array applications we can use: Google maps, Facebook, texting means we are constantly in touch. The million dollar questions is, how much will it improve ultimately improve our lives? The answer is ultimately in our hands.

Conscientious consumer

Conscientious consumer -- When and where we, the American consumer, spend our dollars has a huge impact on the global economy.


As we spend more and more dollars on goods made overseas imported into the USA, we see many USA jobs sent and outsourced to foreign lands. To change the way corporate executives conduct business overseas, we need to change our buying habits:

 
 
 
My buying/purchasing matrix:


1. Buy the best product to fit your needs.

2. Where is the product manufactured? Purchase USA products of equal quality first, if possible.

3. Corporate image, does the company ship USA jobs overseas? (Buy else where)

4. Purchase and support companies that our keeping jobs in the USA!

5. Purchase products from companies that provide goodwill (charitable)

6. Purchase products that our environmental friendly (Green).

7. Purchase and support companies that stand against discrimination and corporate greed!

8. An informed consumer is a good consumer!

Alternative Energy source

Over the last few weeks Things in the world really been crazy specially with earthquake in Japan.




I have done an analysis of the Chevy volt looking to go truly electric and think this would save a lot of money in the long run. The Chevy volt is projected to go 40 miles on electric charge, but that number is reduced when running the heating system and electrical systems, true range is around 20 miles. I am considering the Ford hybrid Fusion as an alternative to the Chevy volt just because of the short range on the battery for the Volt.



Due to the nuclear problems in Japan, I also consider going solar to power my house. I am waiting for estimates to come in to install solar electrical system. I'm hoping this solar system is the wave of the future. We need to reduce our carbon footprint and implement new renewable energy sources.


I did use Dragon Dictation to complete this post which save me a little time. Happy spring!

My Favorite iPad applications

 

I have owned my iPad for three months and my favorite applications are:

1. Flipboard which is a magazine style link to Google reader, Facebook,  Flipboard content (tech, photos, style), top men, digital, SI, USA, Car and drive and many more. I probably check out this application every day.

Friendly for Facebook quick way to check and update your status

Ipad notes - who needs paper?

Dragon dictation -- just got a new mic to help dictate notes, still testing and implementing into blog

CNN news

iPad task

The iPad is really convenient,  but can not replace a lap top. (Just saying!)

Lastly, I am testing my Logitech video camera which has some audio bugs I am trying to work out. Check me out on video.

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Great People and places

      Great places and Great people:

There are many great people who sacrifice their own well being to help others. Many have a calling to help that is bigger than self and exemplified true love and compassion. The people on the list and places that honor them should serve as inspiration to us all. Hopefully I will be able to one day visit and pay my respects!

1. African-American civil war memorial and Museum, Washington DC Site to see in Washington National mall in U street neighborhood, pays tribute to African-Americans who fought in the civil war. Visit “Black Broadway known for famous stars, great clubs, and music and art venues.

2. Birmingham Civil rights District, Birmingham, Ala The most prominent home of the civil rights movement. Places to see include 16th Street Baptist church (infamous bombing that killed four girls) Birmingham Civil rights Institute, Alabama Jazz hall of fame, Kelly Ingram park (home to many civil rights demonstrations), tribute to Clergy’s positive influence in movement.

3. Harlem NY


What to do and see in NY from a Boston guys propspective? To see the ubran experience and culture we take a stroll in Harlem begining at 110th in upper Manhattan. Check out the eateries, stroll 125th street, getting cutting edge music CD's, while seeing live performance at Apollo theater. Recommended destination is Gothic-style  Abyssinian Bapist church home of renowned preacher Adam Clayton.

4. Harriet Beecher Stowe Center Harford Conn. Harriet Beecher Stowe was a remarkable woman know for her anti-slavery book "Uncle Tom's Cabin". She was an outspoken abolitionist prior to the civil war. She was not affraid to speak out about what she believed was wrong, and was a stong advocate for change. The house she lived in (gothic-revival cottage) contains, books, manuscripts, memorabilia, and art work. There is a vistor center which has an exhibit "Uncle Tom's Cabin: a moral battle Cry for Freedom" that display gifts from diginities inspired by her progressive ideas. Change and progress is dictated by great people doing great things.

5. The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, Alanta A trip to Alanta foundly know has Brookline South by many high school classmates, warrants a trip to "Sweet Auburn District" highlighting Dr King's birth place, Ebenezer Bapist Church, Fire station 6, the first desegregated fire station (shows exhibits). Sites to see include Martin Luther King Jr. center for Nonviolent social change paying homage to King with educational and inspirational materail. You also have the Civil walk of fame and APEX museum devote to acheivements of African-American culture.

Dazzling thoughts outside the box, determine mathamatical analystical solution

In a very competive job market, many companies are looking for top talent who can think outside the box. Evalutating talent at many top companies involves asking analytical question to determine computational abilities.

Here are examples of some questions asked by top companies and various interviewers:

These questions were compiled by glassdoor.com based on 1000 of inteview questions:

• Amazon.com asks, if you had 5,623 players in a tournament, how many games would you need to play to determine a winner? Answer 5,622
• Microsoft asks, why is a manhole cover round?  Easier for a person to enter the hole.
• Google asks, how many backetball can fit in this room?  First determine area of room Length x Width x height and then determine area of basketball. Divide the are of the basketball into the area of the room to determine number of basketball.
• Facebook asks, given the numbers 1 to 1,000, what is the minimum number of guesses needed to find a specific number if you are given the hint higher or lower for each guess you make? Answer 1 (1 and 1000 chance)
• Goldman Sacks asks, if you were shrunk to the size of a pencil end put in a blender, how would you get out.  Answer I would jump and knock over blender. ( Analyst position)
• Deloitte asks, How many ridges [are there] around a quarter? Answer 119 based on anti- acounterfiet measure and to assist the blind (Project analyst)
• Aflect asks,  "What is the philosophy of Martial Arts?"  Answer self defense (sales associate)
• Boston Consulting ask,  "Explain [to] me what has happened in this country during the last 10 years."  Answer  Obama elected first black president, Housing and financial meltdown 2008, war on terror 9/11/01,  Natural disaster Hurrican Katrina Hatian Earth quake, Global warming, Enron whitecollar crime,  (Consultant position)
• AT&T asks,  "If you could be any superhero, who would it be?"  Answer Superman  (sales rep)
• Blackrock Portfolio Management Group asks,  "You have a birthday cake and have exactly 3 slices to cut it into 8 equal pieces. How do you do it?"  Answer  cut two pieces in to 8 equal parts and eat the third
•  Epic Systems asks,  An apple costs 20 cents, an orange costs 40 cents, and a grapefruit costs 60 cents, how much is a pear?" (project management)
• Apple asks, "There are three boxes, one contains only apples, one contains only oranges, and one contains both apples and oranges. The boxes have been incorrectly labeled such that no label identifies the actual contents of the box it labels. Opening just one box, and without looking in the box, you take out one piece of fruit. By looking at the fruit, how can you immediately label all of the boxes correctly?" (software QA engineer)
• Argus Information & Advisory Services asks,  "How many traffic lights in Manhattan?" ( analyst)
•  Eze Castle asks, "You are in a dark room with no light. You need matching socks for your interview and you have 19 grey socks and 25 black socks. What are the chances you will get a matching pair?" (Quality assurance)
• Guardsmark asks, "What do wood and alcohol have in common?"  (staff writer)
• IBM asks,  "How do you weigh an elephant without using a weigh machine?" (software engineer)
• Intel asks, "You have 8 pennies, 7 weigh the same, one weighs less. You also have a judges scale. Find the one that weighs less in less than 3 steps." (systems validation)
• NY life asks,  "Why do you think only a small percentage of the population makes over $150K?"  (Sales agent)
•  Schlumberger asks,  "You are in charge of 20 people, organize them to figure out how many bicycles were sold in your area last year." (Field engineer)
• The Nielsen Company asks, "How many bottles of beer are drank in the city over the week?"  (research analyst)
•  UBS asks,   "What's the square root of 2000?"  (sales and trading)
• USAA asks, "A train leaves San Antonio for Huston at 60mph. Another train leaves Huston for San Antonio at 80mph. Huston and San Antonio are 300 miles apart. If a bird leaves San Antonio at 100mph, and turns around and flies back once it reaches the Huston train, and continues to fly between the two, how far will it have flown when they collide?" (software engineer)
• US banks ask, "How are M&M's made?"  (program development)
• Volkswagen asks, "What would you do if you just inherited a pizzeria from your uncle?"  (

Top Information Technology companies for 2010

What does it take to be one of the best Technology companies to work for? Having a great management team and a CEO who supports and values employees is very important. This usually results in high morale among staff and employees.

Top information technology companies based on various rating systems:

1. Intel chip manufacture

2. Genentech biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry

3. Salesforce.com sales automation

4. Adobe PDF reader developer

5. Qualcomm mobile communication provider

6. Flour engineering and construction company

7. Google best benefits and perks industry wide

8. Bristol Myers Squibb pharmaceutical highest ranked among women

9. Synopsys electronic design automation EDA

10. Analog Devices signal process design and top green for reducing carbon foot print

11. Apple hottest consumer products and minimal corporate politics

12. National Instruments 11 year reputation of a great place to work

13. NetApp enterprise storage company

14. Shutterfly Internet social publishing great medium size company

15. Mitre system innovation non profit for Government

16. Slalom Consulting Microsoft business intelligence partner

17. SAS Institute security firm

18. Boston Consulting Group BCG excels in equality and human rights

19. Bain and Company consulting tops in career development

20. Facebook internet usage power house

Does corporate good will and reputation result in higher gross profits and stock prices. I hope to analyze this relationship.