I am all in for OSS, but the sheer complexity involved in its use currently is discouraging. Setting up is a difficult task, configuring and maintaining requires an understanding of the OS and its functioning. This is unlike proprietary software which is more intuitive, functional and easy to use with all software and drivers easily available.
I am not denying that proprietary solutions have certain security concerns, usage limitations and high costs. But, time & ease of use being more important than a one-time expense these are all nullified.
The whole idea of OSS is again being part of a community that supports you in your issues and concerns with the software. But, considering the increasing need for individuality it will be difficult for such community based systems to function unless the software's become more stand-alone.
The challenge for the OSS community would be to meet this expectation of the individual user. Plus, with cloud computing, social media, and players like Google coming up with online applications that do all the things you need on your PC ... Why then would you need anything installed on your PC in the future? Just buy a BOX that connects to the internet to do your work. The possibilities are wide and open for anybody to interpret and envision.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
With a NOKIA 8310 enabled with GPRS I thought the world could be different place
2002 March -
A hot afternoon and I was returning back after tuition. While sitting in the bus and chatting off with friends, I happened to notice one of the most 'in' items to have - A mobile, as a high school student. The first look on the mobile and I was enchanted as thought it was a treasure chest of gold.
The 8310, like all handsets of the 8000 series, incorporated remarkably high specification compared to competing handsets at the time. Retailing at over 1100 AED / £400 at launch, the 8310 was a truly premium handset. The inclusion of an FM Radio became a highly desirable feature, ensuring mainstream success especially among commuters and students. The first go through the mobile and I had fallen for it.
"GPRS ! What the hell was that!" I exclaimed. A friend of mine who new a little about mobile phones then told me with GPRS (or General Packet Radio Service) I could surf the internet on the go with it. Wow ! Being an avid Internet user I was excited to know how to get to use it. My mind started racing - Can I search for content, Can I chat with my friends, Can I access my email on the go? My friend told me it was too expensive to consider getting it linked up and her dad would kill her if she played around with it too much.
My Dad used a Nokia 6310, around that time, and the most interesting thing about this phone used to be - Snake. The 8310 comparatively had GPRS, A memo, Infrared, voice recorder and T9 Dictionary support as some advanced features then. I was awed by the phone and readily listed it as my 'Dream Phone'.
2006 March -
Four years later while in college when my Dad considered it worthwhile to give me a phone, the first one that struck me was the 8310. However while the color & mp3 phones had taken over by 2005 and there was even a buzz of the iPhone around. Surprisingly, my Dad got me one - A Nokia 8310. All my dreams flashed back the moment I got it in my hand. I was a happy man !!
2008 - September
Now with an HTC Touch, I am all the more awed with the way Internet on the go is trending. 1.7 Billion Mobile subscribers by 2012 - Only from BRIC nations & 680 Million Internet users worldwide expected out of the whole lot are numbers to swear by the fact that internet over mobile is a medium waiting to grow and ramp exponentially.
A hot afternoon and I was returning back after tuition. While sitting in the bus and chatting off with friends, I happened to notice one of the most 'in' items to have - A mobile, as a high school student. The first look on the mobile and I was enchanted as thought it was a treasure chest of gold.
The 8310, like all handsets of the 8000 series, incorporated remarkably high specification compared to competing handsets at the time. Retailing at over 1100 AED / £400 at launch, the 8310 was a truly premium handset. The inclusion of an FM Radio became a highly desirable feature, ensuring mainstream success especially among commuters and students. The first go through the mobile and I had fallen for it.
"GPRS ! What the hell was that!" I exclaimed. A friend of mine who new a little about mobile phones then told me with GPRS (or General Packet Radio Service) I could surf the internet on the go with it. Wow ! Being an avid Internet user I was excited to know how to get to use it. My mind started racing - Can I search for content, Can I chat with my friends, Can I access my email on the go? My friend told me it was too expensive to consider getting it linked up and her dad would kill her if she played around with it too much.
My Dad used a Nokia 6310, around that time, and the most interesting thing about this phone used to be - Snake. The 8310 comparatively had GPRS, A memo, Infrared, voice recorder and T9 Dictionary support as some advanced features then. I was awed by the phone and readily listed it as my 'Dream Phone'.
2006 March -
Four years later while in college when my Dad considered it worthwhile to give me a phone, the first one that struck me was the 8310. However while the color & mp3 phones had taken over by 2005 and there was even a buzz of the iPhone around. Surprisingly, my Dad got me one - A Nokia 8310. All my dreams flashed back the moment I got it in my hand. I was a happy man !!
2008 - September
Now with an HTC Touch, I am all the more awed with the way Internet on the go is trending. 1.7 Billion Mobile subscribers by 2012 - Only from BRIC nations & 680 Million Internet users worldwide expected out of the whole lot are numbers to swear by the fact that internet over mobile is a medium waiting to grow and ramp exponentially.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Geo Tagged LinkedIn Network - A Usage Model
Imagine riding in to a new city for a business meeting. You are looking for good options for a budget bunk out option for the night & some good eateries. While you thought about this, the LinkedIn widget on your desktop manages to highlight and indicate to you that you have in your network 1st & 2nd degree contacts that are in town. Thanks to your WiMax enabled laptop, it captured an available wireless Internet option and had already registered your profile over a secure connection.
Now as you felt that your thought needs to be converted to action and as you opened up your laptop you find that it has already listed out the nearest connections and indicated them of you arrival. Your status now stated: “I am in Carson City”. A welcome message from your ISP startles you and you thought to yourself, “What hospitality!”
Now, you type out a message to your contacts to take their advice. “Carson City is an interesting place to be and I am in for two days on a business tour. Where do you think I can bunk out and get some good service for my horses“
Smith replies, “Try McRadisson’s new budget bunkers at 21 Indiana Street”
John replies on voice message, “Welcome to Carson City! Kemp-In-Ski Bunkers offers horse services free for all its residents.”
Megan replies, “You should try Indian Tadka at 42 Desi Roads, great Indian food. May be I can accompany you! Give me a buzz!”
Overwhelmed, you thank John & google out Kemp-In-Ski’s online check-in service while still being driven along in your Coupe. As you bought out the services, you saw that the bunker was just ahead and a flash on your page indicated the confirmation of your booking. The coupe pulls over at the entrance of the bunker and another welcome message on your LinkedIn messenger: “Welcome to Kemp-In-Ski Mr. Bond! The Lake facing suite – No.304, has been allotted for you. Hope you will enjoy your stay at Kemp-In-Ski.”
While you settle into your bunker you wonder – “Could it get any better?”
Links:
Google Gears Blog - Geolocation over Wi-fi
Wikipedia on Geotagging
Sourceforge.net on Geotagging
The Professional Networking site - linkedin.com
Now, you type out a message to your contacts to take their advice. “Carson City is an interesting place to be and I am in for two days on a business tour. Where do you think I can bunk out and get some good service for my horses“
Smith replies, “Try McRadisson’s new budget bunkers at 21 Indiana Street”
John replies on voice message, “Welcome to Carson City! Kemp-In-Ski Bunkers offers horse services free for all its residents.”
Megan replies, “You should try Indian Tadka at 42 Desi Roads, great Indian food. May be I can accompany you! Give me a buzz!”
Overwhelmed, you thank John & google out Kemp-In-Ski’s online check-in service while still being driven along in your Coupe. As you bought out the services, you saw that the bunker was just ahead and a flash on your page indicated the confirmation of your booking. The coupe pulls over at the entrance of the bunker and another welcome message on your LinkedIn messenger: “Welcome to Kemp-In-Ski Mr. Bond! The Lake facing suite – No.304, has been allotted for you. Hope you will enjoy your stay at Kemp-In-Ski.”
While you settle into your bunker you wonder – “Could it get any better?”
Links:
Google Gears Blog - Geolocation over Wi-fi
Wikipedia on Geotagging
Sourceforge.net on Geotagging
The Professional Networking site - linkedin.com
Thursday, June 19, 2008
The Ultra Mobility Story - A perspective
This blog is an attempt at giving the tech geek inside me wings to fly. And to kick start this I am blogging from an MSI Wind UMPC (Ultra Mobile PC). What better way to start my endeavor to explore and gauge technologies that are not just revolutionary but give an exciting look into the future of computing. The discussions at key forums and meets across the world are talking about the next wave of computing users. 1 Billion In all who would be primarily focused on Internet usage.As a writer and blogger, it feels exciting to know that now I can be truly mobile and publish on the go, while not carrying around a power hungry, heavy and sensitive device. The possibilities seem excitingly huge and stirring. 'I could go online and publish a blog on my experience midway on the snowy hills of the Gangotri while plugging in to my phone's GPRS connection over Bluetooth' or 'I could just be chilling at the premiere a new James Bond movie and live blog pictures and reviews on it over Wi-Fi.'
Interestingly, all this being offered in just close to a kilo in mass, 4.5 hrs battery backup, a sleek 10.2 inches wide box and as thick as a book in your hand. There is a web cam to live cast if you suddenly wished to livecast and announce from the top of the Eiffel tower about your experience or your disgust on the traffic mess you are in. First look and feel and usage seems interesting enough to intimidate me to conclude on a buying decision. But I just got to know that there is a black variant of the same yet to be released. Black surely could steal the show.
I am a restless bum and honestly I am in love with Ultra Mobility. The connectivity options I could dream about with it in my backpack are just racing in my head while I spread a truly wireless set of wings with the help of Ultra Mobility.
Links:
Delicious Bookmarks : http://delicious.com/iscarealot/netbook
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