As users of products we are baffled every day by things that should just be. Every company needs a suggestion box on their home page so we can point out the obvious.
Examples:
1. Why doesn't every car radio have an audio-in jack? One in 5 Americans over the age of 12 has an MP3 player. Is that not enough to add a 10 cent part?
2. RIM the maker of the Blackberry who's killer app is email. Hello, how about a spell checker.
3. Microsoft, why are there 100 versions of VISTA?
4. Creationists, it's 2007, not 1507.
5. Why is George Bush still in office?
Are these not obvious? Don't you think heads should role?
Please add your anonymous suggestion box today!
Friday, November 16, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
German cars and radios
What is it with German Auto companies and their radios? They make the best driving cars (and the most expensive) in the world but they can't offer an audio in jack. How stupid is that?
Who makes these kinds of decisions? I can just see the product managers saying:
"There just aren't enough MP3 players to warrant a 5 cent part" or
"This will add 5c to to the price of our cars, we can't do that"
Even the NA autos have it.
I bought a BMW recently and had to buy the $300 iPod interface (which is crap). I don't want to use the BMW interface because it horrible. Just give me an audio in that it, that's all.
Who makes these kinds of decisions? I can just see the product managers saying:
"There just aren't enough MP3 players to warrant a 5 cent part" or
"This will add 5c to to the price of our cars, we can't do that"
Even the NA autos have it.
I bought a BMW recently and had to buy the $300 iPod interface (which is crap). I don't want to use the BMW interface because it horrible. Just give me an audio in that it, that's all.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Apple iTablet almost here!
I predict as of this writing Apple will introduce a Touch screen tablet (iTablet) and finally make tablet computing usable. Everything is in place for Apple to do it. Just make bigger versions of the iPod Touch and iPhone. I'm not the first to predict this (see iTablet) but after using it - WOW.
I bought the iPod Touch recently. It is absolutely fantastic - the best mobile computing device I've ever used. Everything about it is fantastic. Hats off to the Apple team. Everything is right. The challenges of introducing a new type of interface (touch) and nailing it requires tremendous leadership.
There is one little issue - data input. Typing on a screen keyboard sucks and I've not gotten used to it! For the iTablet you need voice recognition for data input. I touch the URL and say the url, not type it in. That would be sweet. All the technology exists for that.
I bought the iPod Touch recently. It is absolutely fantastic - the best mobile computing device I've ever used. Everything about it is fantastic. Hats off to the Apple team. Everything is right. The challenges of introducing a new type of interface (touch) and nailing it requires tremendous leadership.
There is one little issue - data input. Typing on a screen keyboard sucks and I've not gotten used to it! For the iTablet you need voice recognition for data input. I touch the URL and say the url, not type it in. That would be sweet. All the technology exists for that.
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Wait, don't patent that invention!
You have a great idea and think if you just file a patent, you can make millions. Think again. The patent ecosystem is very lucrative for patent agents, the patent office, patent litigators – everyone (except you) makes a lot of money filing and defending your patents. That's why you see so many Google ads when you search for the word patent. The ecosystem wants to help you get your patent because its highly profitable for them.
Yes, as the owner of the patent you get a monopoly. You have the sole right to exclude others from making, selling, using or importing your invention. So the question is what are you going to do with your monopoly? Build a product, license it, sell it? Perhaps you want to become an entrepreneur. Well the probability of succeeding is exceedingly low.
So unless you have a plan for your invention and some big money behind it then you better think again. You could do nothing about it. But then you'll probably kick yourself when you see someone else profiting from the idea. How many times have you said "I had that idea". There is another option.
Give it away. What does that mean and how do I profit from that? What I mean is publish the idea on a web site called Wikinvents.com and give the invention away to anyone who wants to implement it. No, you don't profit from it. Yes, it's altruistic. But at the same time it levels the playing field for everyone. You see, by publishing it you prevent everyone from that point on from getting a patent. The benefit is that if the invention is used in the industry there will be no monopoly and thus cheaper for you and me. It's like the open source, your willing to contribute the idea for everyone's benefit – no monopolies!
So the next time you get a brain wave for a great idea and don't plan to monetize it then publish it. Don't just file a patent. Odds are that the only people profiting from the idea is the patent agent, the patent office and patent litigators (if you get that far). You will likely burn through a lot of cash for nothing.
See Wikinvents for more information.
Yes, as the owner of the patent you get a monopoly. You have the sole right to exclude others from making, selling, using or importing your invention. So the question is what are you going to do with your monopoly? Build a product, license it, sell it? Perhaps you want to become an entrepreneur. Well the probability of succeeding is exceedingly low.
So unless you have a plan for your invention and some big money behind it then you better think again. You could do nothing about it. But then you'll probably kick yourself when you see someone else profiting from the idea. How many times have you said "I had that idea". There is another option.
Give it away. What does that mean and how do I profit from that? What I mean is publish the idea on a web site called Wikinvents.com and give the invention away to anyone who wants to implement it. No, you don't profit from it. Yes, it's altruistic. But at the same time it levels the playing field for everyone. You see, by publishing it you prevent everyone from that point on from getting a patent. The benefit is that if the invention is used in the industry there will be no monopoly and thus cheaper for you and me. It's like the open source, your willing to contribute the idea for everyone's benefit – no monopolies!
So the next time you get a brain wave for a great idea and don't plan to monetize it then publish it. Don't just file a patent. Odds are that the only people profiting from the idea is the patent agent, the patent office and patent litigators (if you get that far). You will likely burn through a lot of cash for nothing.
See Wikinvents for more information.
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Public transporation in Ottawa
I read the Ottawa Citizen every day. The city seems to be stumped when it comes to public transportation. The debates about light rail rage on but nothing is ever done.
Yet, there is never any debate when it comes to roads and highways. We seem to have an unlimited budget for that. Why is that? As of this writing, the 417 is under construction in the west end. It looks like they can add at least four more lanes if they wanted to. Why can't we put tracks down the middle (like Chicago does) while its under construction?
I guess Ottawa city politicians are too focused on trying to keep their jobs rather than doing something productive.
Yet, there is never any debate when it comes to roads and highways. We seem to have an unlimited budget for that. Why is that? As of this writing, the 417 is under construction in the west end. It looks like they can add at least four more lanes if they wanted to. Why can't we put tracks down the middle (like Chicago does) while its under construction?
I guess Ottawa city politicians are too focused on trying to keep their jobs rather than doing something productive.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Wikinvents
I launched (made live) a web site called Wikinvents today.
Wikinvents is a free open collective of original inventions that can be used by anyone. Inspired by Wikipedia, inventions are written collaboratively by volunteers. As a collective Wikinventions are free for public use and commentary and more importantly protected against any future patent attempts. All submissions and edits are protected by trusted timestamps and can be proven by any third party. We plan to make trusted timestamps available for anyone to use for personal documents absolutely free. Check it out and let me know what you think.
I have not attempted to market this site yet because the trusted timestamps (digital signatures) is not live yet. And, the site needs a little more work.
Wikinvents is a free open collective of original inventions that can be used by anyone. Inspired by Wikipedia, inventions are written collaboratively by volunteers. As a collective Wikinventions are free for public use and commentary and more importantly protected against any future patent attempts. All submissions and edits are protected by trusted timestamps and can be proven by any third party. We plan to make trusted timestamps available for anyone to use for personal documents absolutely free. Check it out and let me know what you think.
I have not attempted to market this site yet because the trusted timestamps (digital signatures) is not live yet. And, the site needs a little more work.
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Are Canadians paying higher prices for vehicles than Americans?
I was reading an article in the Globe and Mail Vehicle sales hit skids in September and was astonished by comments made Dennis DesRosiers an automotive consultant. He said "There's a common perception [among consumers] that the vehicle companies are ripping them off, pure and simple. They're not"
Can you believe the nerve of this guy? It's not a perception, its a fact and its been a fact for years. Mr. DesRosiers offers no back up for his statement. He actually supports the fact that they are ripping off consumers by saying "manufactures are returning some of their dollar windfall to Canadians in the form of higher rebates and subsidized leases and other incentives. Mr. DesRosiers is an automotive analyst and is paid by guess who? The automotive companies. He will never say anything negative about the automotive companies.
A number of automotive analysts say that Canadians are willing to pay the higher pricing. The true fact is that Canadians who try to buy cars from the US are blocked every step of the way. Most dealers in the US won't sell a Canadian a car because this would create channel conflict meaning the Canadian dealers will complain to the manufacture that the US dealer is stealing business away. This is now the subject of a class action law suite in Toronto.
Funny how auto manufactures are beginning to lower the prices now in light of the law suite. Send a strong message to the auto industry. Resist buying now and the prices will equalize. If you need to buy, find a dealer in the US who will ship you a car.
Can you believe the nerve of this guy? It's not a perception, its a fact and its been a fact for years. Mr. DesRosiers offers no back up for his statement. He actually supports the fact that they are ripping off consumers by saying "manufactures are returning some of their dollar windfall to Canadians in the form of higher rebates and subsidized leases and other incentives. Mr. DesRosiers is an automotive analyst and is paid by guess who? The automotive companies. He will never say anything negative about the automotive companies.
A number of automotive analysts say that Canadians are willing to pay the higher pricing. The true fact is that Canadians who try to buy cars from the US are blocked every step of the way. Most dealers in the US won't sell a Canadian a car because this would create channel conflict meaning the Canadian dealers will complain to the manufacture that the US dealer is stealing business away. This is now the subject of a class action law suite in Toronto.
Funny how auto manufactures are beginning to lower the prices now in light of the law suite. Send a strong message to the auto industry. Resist buying now and the prices will equalize. If you need to buy, find a dealer in the US who will ship you a car.
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Mountain Bike Trails in Ottawa
I was searching for a MTB trip in the US for this November and its really hard to find good rides say in Northern California. I guess MTB riders like to keep the trails secret to minimize traffic.
Anyway here are my favorite rides in Ottawa. Actually the rides are in Gatineau Park, very close to Ottawa. I found a map of the park. My favorite trails start at the O'Brien parking lot near Meech Lake. Your riding trail 36 and trail 50 on the map. My ride ends at Herridge (and goes back to the parking lot) but you can ride as far as you want as shown on the map. The trail is best described as a roller coaster. It has a bit of everything and the views along the lake are beautiful. The ride has some technical sections and I don't think I would recommend it for beginners, its more for intermediates. You can easily walk the harder bits though. Nice thing about the trail is you can't get lost. You can do this ride comfortably in about 1.5 to 2 hrs.
The second ride also leaves from O'Brien but for this one take Meech Lake road to P12 (McKinstry). You ride up trail 40 to 24 to 1. And I mean up. It's a pretty hard steep ride up that takes at least 30-45 mins. Make sure you turn left at trail 1. Your headed to Champlain Lookout for a beautiful view of Ottawa across the river. You can go left on trail 1 to McKinstry but its a boring ride on a fire road (with no view at the end). After a break at Champlain Lookout go back into trail 1 but go left. Trail 1 is an easy, very fun trail that is mostly down hill through the woods. Take that and you will cross Lac-Fortune Pkwy. Stay on trail 1 until you hit trail 4. Go left on 4 for a really fun down hill where you pop out at Camp Fortune. From there you can take the road down where it meets up with Lac-Fortune Pkwy (turn right) That goes down to Meech Lake road. You turn left and ride back to the O'Brien parking lot. I would say this ride is a bit shorter and easier (except for the painful clime in the beginning). A beginner can do this ride - it's not very technical but you've got to be in good shape for climbing. And you can very this ride depending how far you want to go.
Gatineau park is a treasure in the Ottawa area for biking. Road biking is also fantastic on the parkway. I'll write about that next.
After your ride head into Old Chelsea. Great little town for food and drinks!
Enjoy
Anyway here are my favorite rides in Ottawa. Actually the rides are in Gatineau Park, very close to Ottawa. I found a map of the park. My favorite trails start at the O'Brien parking lot near Meech Lake. Your riding trail 36 and trail 50 on the map. My ride ends at Herridge (and goes back to the parking lot) but you can ride as far as you want as shown on the map. The trail is best described as a roller coaster. It has a bit of everything and the views along the lake are beautiful. The ride has some technical sections and I don't think I would recommend it for beginners, its more for intermediates. You can easily walk the harder bits though. Nice thing about the trail is you can't get lost. You can do this ride comfortably in about 1.5 to 2 hrs.
The second ride also leaves from O'Brien but for this one take Meech Lake road to P12 (McKinstry). You ride up trail 40 to 24 to 1. And I mean up. It's a pretty hard steep ride up that takes at least 30-45 mins. Make sure you turn left at trail 1. Your headed to Champlain Lookout for a beautiful view of Ottawa across the river. You can go left on trail 1 to McKinstry but its a boring ride on a fire road (with no view at the end). After a break at Champlain Lookout go back into trail 1 but go left. Trail 1 is an easy, very fun trail that is mostly down hill through the woods. Take that and you will cross Lac-Fortune Pkwy. Stay on trail 1 until you hit trail 4. Go left on 4 for a really fun down hill where you pop out at Camp Fortune. From there you can take the road down where it meets up with Lac-Fortune Pkwy (turn right) That goes down to Meech Lake road. You turn left and ride back to the O'Brien parking lot. I would say this ride is a bit shorter and easier (except for the painful clime in the beginning). A beginner can do this ride - it's not very technical but you've got to be in good shape for climbing. And you can very this ride depending how far you want to go.
Gatineau park is a treasure in the Ottawa area for biking. Road biking is also fantastic on the parkway. I'll write about that next.
After your ride head into Old Chelsea. Great little town for food and drinks!
Enjoy
Sunday, March 04, 2007
You have to break a few eggs to make an omelet
A read about Al Gore’s personal expenses .
They point out that his mansion’s annual natural gas and electricity bills cost about $30,000 per year. I wouldn’t be surprised if the energy used to carry him all over the world to deliver his Inconvenient Truth message tops his home energy consumption.
Anyway, the point of the article is walk the walk, not just talk the talk – I hate that expression btw.
I would say to the Tennessee Center for Policy Research President Drew Johnson so what? At least Al Gore has the balls to work on this problem. My message to Al Gore – enjoy your mansion, but you may want to invest in some insulation and compact fluorescents.
I would, however, pick on the movie stars who buy a a Toyota Prius to go along with their 20,000 sq ft mansions. I think they are being a little hypocritical, don’t you?
They point out that his mansion’s annual natural gas and electricity bills cost about $30,000 per year. I wouldn’t be surprised if the energy used to carry him all over the world to deliver his Inconvenient Truth message tops his home energy consumption.
Anyway, the point of the article is walk the walk, not just talk the talk – I hate that expression btw.
I would say to the Tennessee Center for Policy Research President Drew Johnson so what? At least Al Gore has the balls to work on this problem. My message to Al Gore – enjoy your mansion, but you may want to invest in some insulation and compact fluorescents.
I would, however, pick on the movie stars who buy a a Toyota Prius to go along with their 20,000 sq ft mansions. I think they are being a little hypocritical, don’t you?
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Canadian vs US Passport
Why is the validity period of a Canadian passport 5 years when a US Passport is valid for 10 years? It such a pain in the ass to get a new passport. Every 5 years you've got to give up your passport, fill out the exact same documents as last time and pay $100. While you wait you can't travel outside the country.
What is so special about Canada that they have to change your passport every 5 years while in the US it's 10 years. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the $100 bucks you pay every time you renew. Let's say 10 million Canadians have to change their passports in a 5 year period (I bet that number is low). Hey that's an additional $1B in revenue to the Canadian Government. I got it.
So I finally got the passport application in. Some interesting observations:
1. First I tried to fill out the application on line. I spent about 1 hour doing that. The theory is that it saves you time when you go to the passport office. The problem is that you have to print the application out with the top and bottom margin set to zero. I have a pretty decent HP laser printer and guess what? It won't accept a zero margin on the top or bottom. So I had to go back and fill out an application manually. You think they would have tested that on more than one printer. After all HP laser printers aren't very popular.
2. Even though you have a valid passport, it doesn't count as ID. Yes, the passport office does not accept their own ID? You have to show other ID which is trivial to forge (as if you were applying for the first time again). She looked at my ID for about 1 second. I don't even think she looked at me. Wouldn't you think they would change the process slightly for those who already have a valid passport that is about to expire? Wouldn't that save time and money?
3. I asked if I could pay some money to expedite the passport since I travel a lot for business. (I heard that you could do that). She said no. Just so you understand I am volunteering to pay the Government more money and they said no. Hey Gov, why wouldn't you take the money?
BTW I got my passport after 3 weeks - not bad Gov. Looks almost exactly like the last passport, except for the new expiry date. I would certainly be willing to pay more for a 10 year passport. Hint.
What is so special about Canada that they have to change your passport every 5 years while in the US it's 10 years. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the $100 bucks you pay every time you renew. Let's say 10 million Canadians have to change their passports in a 5 year period (I bet that number is low). Hey that's an additional $1B in revenue to the Canadian Government. I got it.
So I finally got the passport application in. Some interesting observations:
1. First I tried to fill out the application on line. I spent about 1 hour doing that. The theory is that it saves you time when you go to the passport office. The problem is that you have to print the application out with the top and bottom margin set to zero. I have a pretty decent HP laser printer and guess what? It won't accept a zero margin on the top or bottom. So I had to go back and fill out an application manually. You think they would have tested that on more than one printer. After all HP laser printers aren't very popular.
2. Even though you have a valid passport, it doesn't count as ID. Yes, the passport office does not accept their own ID? You have to show other ID which is trivial to forge (as if you were applying for the first time again). She looked at my ID for about 1 second. I don't even think she looked at me. Wouldn't you think they would change the process slightly for those who already have a valid passport that is about to expire? Wouldn't that save time and money?
3. I asked if I could pay some money to expedite the passport since I travel a lot for business. (I heard that you could do that). She said no. Just so you understand I am volunteering to pay the Government more money and they said no. Hey Gov, why wouldn't you take the money?
BTW I got my passport after 3 weeks - not bad Gov. Looks almost exactly like the last passport, except for the new expiry date. I would certainly be willing to pay more for a 10 year passport. Hint.
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