I am an oracle. I can see what others can't!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.