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Ubuntu Linux as a computing appliance

August 21, 2010
By John Koetsier
gangtux_ubuntu

I have a lot of PCs in my house. No, I mean a LOT. As a result of building software, testing, working with PC manufacturing partners, and owning personal computers, I have no fewer than 19 laptops, desktops, and netbooks in my home. Which prompts a number of problems … not least of which...
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Know Kno No

August 13, 2010
By John Koetsier
kno

I can’t figure out what to make of the Kno. If you haven’t heard of it yet, it’s an e-reader. But not like the iPad, not like the Kindle, and not like the myriad of competing Android-based tablets in the marketplace today. The Kno...
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War is peace, love is hate, and Verizon/Google’s “net neutrality” is open internet

August 10, 2010
By John Koetsier
google-is-evil-300x270

I’m not sure if Big Brother’s peering out at us right now through our LCD monitors. Or maybe it’s just Little Brother, but when it’s Google and Verizon … it’s big enough. Net neutrality is a core concept underpinning the foundations of the entire...
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Microsoft and the future: doesn’t look too good?

August 4, 2010
By John Koetsier
microsoft_logo

Everyone’s favorite kicking-boy lately is Microsoft, and it’s easy to see why. Mobile is a disaster, Bing is having issues catching Google, the slate/tablet revolution started by Bill Gates has bypassed Windows … in so many ways Microsoft just feels so yesterday. Last week...
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Is Google’s party over, or is it just starting?

July 29, 2010
By John Koetsier
google

Fortune Magazine’s Michael Copeland thinks that the “search party” that Google’s been riding for 12 years is over. Google’s growth rates in revenue and profit are slowing, and its relevance in a mobile/social world is diminishing. And Page, Brin, and Google CEO Eric Schmidt...
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Twitter: it’s not about size, it’s about reach

July 27, 2010
By John Koetsier
twitter

I saw this story on a Hollywood news site earlier today. It’s basically an article dissing Twitter for not being as big or effective a marketing vehicle as some have cracked it up to be: Why was everyone in the movie business so excited...
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Facebook in heaven: death and social networking

July 18, 2010
By John Koetsier

What do you do about death and social networking? I saw this story today in the NY Times: Courtney Purvin got a shock when she visited Facebook last month. The site was suggesting that she get back in touch with an old family friend...
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Apple: This is why you need more than 1 model

July 13, 2010
By John Koetsier
iphone4

The iPhone 4 fiasco continues unabated today, given that numerous independent testing agencies have found its reception lacking. The highly-respected Consumer Reports review might be the final straw: Apple will be forced to recall the iPhone 4 following Consumer Reports tests proving the “Death...
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Consumer Reports does not recommend the iPhone 4

July 12, 2010
By John Koetsier

So much for the thin excuse that it’s a software issue … It’s official. Consumer Reports engineers have just completed testing the iPhone 4, and have confirmed that there is a problem with its reception. When your finger or hand touches a spot on...
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Facebook Declares War On Google; Apple and Microsoft cheer

June 25, 2010
By John Koetsier

If I am Microsoft or Apple today, I’m fairly happy. It’s obvious that Google is a huge threat to both Microsoft and Apple. Using its massive cash surpluses from owning the high-volume, high value search ads industry, Google is funding investments that are commoditizing...
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Yes, Virginia, consumer software is better than corporate software

June 23, 2010
By John Koetsier
google

This is completely, desperately, and viciously true. I’ve experienced it myself. A few months ago the CIO was asked by the chief marketing officer to provide a way for marketing employees around the world to share and build documents together, and perform other collaborative...
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Charles Leadbeater on innovation in education

June 23, 2010
By John Koetsier

This is smart, timely, and wonderfully well-said:
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About this site

Welcome to Sparkplug 9, John Koetsier's blog on technology, social media, education, innovation ... and anything else that catches my fancy.

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