Archive for November, 2008

Original iPod

Original iPod

Wow. I just unplugged my original iPod from the HK dock for the first time in about a year. I think I have 4 iPods of various kinds scattered around the house … a Nano, a 20 gig 2nd generation (that’s the one that’s hooked up to my HK stereo), a 40 gig Video,...
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Say again, Google?

Say again, Google?

So I’m searching for software usability features, and in the Sponsored links … this is what appears. Sketchup is an architecture prototyping tool – a very cool one – that Google bought for no apparent reason and now offers for free (well, the basic version). What on earth does that have to do with...
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iPhone 2.2

Just installed the iPhone 2.2 update on Saturday. Most important change: WAY better battery life. I mean significant. Not just a little … a LOT better battery life, like from 1 day to 3. Of course, YMMV. Wow. Much, much, MUCH better.
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The worst thing about Windows

I’m using a lot of Windows lately, via VMware Fusion … recently installing both Vista and XP. It’s for work, and it’s for certain apps that need to be tested on a PC. The most annoying thing I’ve found so far – besides the way Windows is always mothering me to death me with...
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e-Commerce for the rest of us?

e-Commerce for the rest of us?

Do you remember vStores? Perhaps 7 years ago that was something I tried out: hosted and completely outsourced eCommerce. I made a couple hundred dollars, and then the vStores thing went down the tubes. Last time I checked, they were still not able to get their act straight. So it was more than a...
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Surreal

I just had the surreal experience of seeing my own job transition announced on ReadWriteWeb’s Jobwire: After 15 years of helping education planning software Premier Agendas Inc. grow, be acquired and turn into a big success – John Koetsier has left the company to become Chief Operating Officer of Norwegian childrens’ computing software maker...
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Funny – or not

You gotta love this: software for the hotel industry to remotely train workers so they don’t incur travel expenses for off-site training: “The Virtual Classroom gives hotels a low-cost tool (travel expenses are eliminated), for providing advanced or customized training,” said Kelly Gray, Newmarket’s Director of Educational Services. “Web delivery also affords hotels enhanced...
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Developers, developers, developers, developers

Week two of my brand-new job is coming up tomorrow. Here’s what I need: Office space in Richmond, BC, for 10-20 people Accounting, Bookkeeping, and Payroll services, ideally all from one provider Developers, developers, developers, developers (Just channeling Steve Ballmer in text here … what I need are Delphi developers, including at least one...
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Spaces: Made for MacBook

Spaces: Made for MacBook

I’ve used virtual windows before … it must have been 7-8 years ago when I was deep into web application development, and desktop real estate was still expensive … But I hadn’t enabled Spaces yet … mostly because I had Leopard on our home iMac, with a 20″ screen. The screen was big enough...
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Craigslist Spam: “Financially relieving”

You gotta love Craigslist spam. I just posted a position – looking for a Delphi developer, anyone interested please get in touch – and the next morning found some business solicitation spam. I kind of enjoyed the pitch though: I wanted to introduce our services to you, perhaps you may find us financially relieving....
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Usability & knowledge: UI Strings

I’m working on a usability project for desktop software right now, focusing on “UI strings.” UI strings are the messages that you see in an application … what it tells you. Obviously, the better these are written, structured, and presented, the easier the application, and the better your experience with it. Four things are...
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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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