Kingpin Tech

The video discusses my thoughts on data waste. Basically duplicate data being transmitted and stored in locations more than once. I also cover my thoughts on how this can and probably will lead into a centralized government database for personal information. The video is fairly generalized and may be hard to understand if you aren't familiar with some IT concepts, however you will understand the idea I am portraying without it.

Foursquare and Facebook : Why you should develop apps for facebook

David — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 22:04:56 +0000

Facebook is now offering a check-in service similar to Foursquare

Facebook started offering a similar service to that of Foursquare today. If you are not familiar, Foursquare uses your location and allows you to "check-in" at places in order to share them through social media.

Foursquare was catching on like wildfire. It was developed nicely, is sharp and smart at the same time. However, Foursquare will now start to rethink business strategy as Facebook has started offering its check-in service.

The real problem is Foursquare's inability to plan for this day. They make an application that can easily be replicated, specially with a company with the resources like Facebook. While Foursquare was unique and innovative yesterday, it is just another social networking tool that Facebook decided it could do better.

This is the reason you shouldn't develop applications for social networking. IF YOU DEVELOP APPS FOR SOCIAL NETWORKING, THE NETWORKING SITE CAN DO IT TOO. Just because you wrote some nice code that is unique when you publish it, doesn't mean that companies like Facebook and Twitter with tons of resources can't emulate it within a few weeks (or less).

Strangely, it appears as if social networking games might be the safest bet for developing on social networking sites. The difference here is that people get attached to their game. Take Farmville and Mafia Wars for example, the both encourage hours of gameplay to make progress and require interaction with friends to advance in the game at certain points. People will be less willing to give up the hours they have spent on a game where they feel like they have earned something, as opposed to using an application that just shares information such as Foursquare.

It doesn't look good for Foursquare, but they may yet stand a chance. Badges that users could gain from Foursquare might retain some of their users. Otherwise, it looks like Foursquare should try to cash in right now, unless they have a card up their sleeve, or an ace in the hole. It might just be time for Foursquare to check-out.

Preparing for Graduate School

David — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 23:15:54 +0000

So, you're thinking about graduate school...

Some of you might find yourself about to graduate with your bachelor degree and you are thinking what is next, are you really ready for the world? Others might be thinking it is time to get the extra education they might need to advance from their current position. An even less likely option is that you are still in your early years of college, or just searching the internet looking up graduate school as a high school student.

Things to consider

First of all, you need to know when to apply for graduate school. With some schools it can be as early as Jan. 1 for the Fall semester or as late as August for the Fall semester. If you already have a school in mind, check their deadline for applications and make sure you haven't already missed it. It is best to start working on your graduate preparation in your first semester of your last year in undergraduate if you are going straight to graduate school. If you plan on working first, wait until after you graduate to begin preparing, you really don't need to rush anyway but since you will be taking a test it will be important you are still sharp from school.

When looking for a graduate school the most important thing you can possibly look for is that the school offers a program you want to take. Take your time when looking at schools, don't just browse what programs are offered by the schools, but really look deep. Look at the classes required by a program you are interested at a school, this can differentiate two similar programs.

The next thing to look for is either cost or location. It depends on what you want more, or if location is important or not. If you are looking for a school that is close, it might be worth paying more for. Also, with more graduate programs offering online programs location is becoming less of an issue. If you are taking your graduate degree online, it will be okay to find a school further away but keep it in a few hours driving distance because you never know when you might need to make an emergency trip to classes, or for paperwork.

You will also want to look at the admissions requirements for the school you are looking at. This will be a great way to determine how your chances will be with enrolling at the school. The best way to get accepted into graduate school is to have great undergraduate grades. For most schools, there is a minimum score required to enter. This score is typically based off a calculation where your undergrad GPA and your GRE test scores are given a multiplier and then added (250x + y = acceptance score, for example). If you have a 4.0 undergrad GPA you are going to be 25% closer to being accepted than someone who only has a 3.0 undergrad GPA.

Other things to consider...

Admission Requirements - These are often looking for specific courses and degrees. If you don't meet these you might be required to take introductory courses.
Professors - ratemyprofessor.com
Administration (if you are familiar with them)
Scholarships and grants - look for available scholarships or grants before applying
Search for reviews of the program, or seek out people for their opinion on the school
Course settings - Will you be required to attend classes or will they be offered online?
Thesis or Project - While this isn't necessary to worry about at first, consider what you would be willing to do. Most schools offer the ability to do a group project or write a thesis in order to graduate.

Now what do I do to apply?

Continue working on your undergraduate degree - don't start thinking ahead! Or don't put your work aside if you are already a full time worker.
I suggest that you get a study book for whatever test you need to take about a month before you are scheduled to take your test. The Princeton Review typically has good study material. These books don't just give you an idea of the material that will be covered but will also give you hints and tips on how to take the tests, such as methods to save time and score higher!
Schedule your GRE, or other required graduate admissions test such as the GMAT for at least 2-3 months before your application deadline. Give yourself more time if you think you might need to take more than one test in order to be accepted.
Fill out your FAFSA if you will need financial aid! This is crucial! Do not use sights like FAFSA.COM that charge money. MAKE SURE TO USE HTTP://WWW.FAFSA.GOV !!!!!
Make sure and study for your test! These tests are not easy. Use the study book you bought, or at least use online resources to study. It is important you do this plenty for the couple of weeks leading up to your test.
Get a great sleep the night before your test. Eat your breakfast and arrive about an hour early for your test with your study material. Study just a bit more before you go in - it could only help. Also if you get lost finding your testing place the extra hour will come in very handy.
You will receive your scores in about a few weeks. As soon as you receive your scores you can start applying to schools based on what schools your scores and grades will allow you too. Not many schools would be willing to take someone who has scores or grades below their minimums. Do not hesitate to apply, it is plenty OK to apply to graduate school several months in advance of the application deadline.
Once you submit your application you should immediately gather other materials that might be required by the school for your application such as your undergraduate transcript, your letters of recommendation, career plan or even your portfolio.
Now it is time to wait to be accepted. If you don't hear anything before July 15th for the Fall semester you really should call the schools that you applied to and check your application status.

My next post will be on what to do once you've been accepted.

Graduate School: Blog Focus

David — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 01:16:25 +0000

The blog is changing focus

The mission of my blog will remain the same. Educate others, while providing a reference for myself. I am going to continue working on some hands on stuff quite a bit, but with graduate school fast approaching I also want to start practicing some of what I learn, or showing off what I learn.

What can you expect?

More information than just technology. I am going to start covering my classes, and what I am learning - despite the immediate relationships to technology. For example, I want to post a small guide on preparing for, and enrolling in graduate school soon.

What am I doing?

I am enrolled at a regional college and will be studying for my Masters of Science in Information Systems. I am working full time as well as a Network Support Specialist with a very wide variety of duties (far more than just help desk). My work has volunteered to offer some assistance with tuition so hopefully this will help jump start my career.

I will be doing the thesis option, as I have always had a small thought about possibly obtaining a Doctorate. I use the research to keep myself busy at home. I like to play video games, but I hate myself when I know I could be doing things to better myself and others. Working on the graduate degree will surely keep me focused.

I am ready to begin!

Is my vision of the WebTV of the future here already?

David — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 23:36:48 +0000

A new device called MetaMirror could be the future of WebTV

I posted about my future for WebTV being qoute

Be connected with the web - obviously

Be integrated with the web, allow controls via a web interface

Not interrupt your TV shows to use the web

Allow you to search the web for things you see, or are related to what you see on the screen

This seems to be almost exactly what MetaMirror is going to try to accomplish.

MetaMirror describes its software :

The product is a software platform which runs on a secondary device of the users choice, displaying this contextual content over a mirror of the television broadcast. By bringing together live television, real-time contextual information and an intuitive user interface, Meta Mirror is positioned to update television from uni-directional broadcast to two-way interaction.

While the software will obviously face challenges now, it is clearly going to be the wave of the future for WebTV, MetaMirror is only getting the quick jump they needed to.

Images and qoutes courtesy of http://www.core77.com/blog/technology/metamirror_notions_vision_for_the_near_future_of_tv__17118.asp

Dameware host actively refusing connection fix

David — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 23:27:20 +0000

The issue?

You can't connect to a client using dameware because it is actively refusing your request.

Resolution

Go into the device manager and delete the dameware mirror driver which is listed with the display drivers.

If that does not work consult dameware support to make sure you don't have a network issue causing the issue.

When to pull out of dying technology?

David — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 19:11:40 +0000

When is it appropriate to give up on a technology that is still being used?

The answer obviously can vary, but it is important to choose a certain way to look at things in this situation. For this writing I will consider looking at when to stop dealing with a technology from the consumer standpoint. It is pretty simple for Company's to decide to change their technology (Not enough ROI? Ok, lets do something else).

What is there that will replace what you have?

You don't necessarily need to be an early adopter to recognize a new technology that will surely catch fire. Pay attention to websites that pride themselves on being the first on addressing new technology. (Gizmodo and Engadget are fairly adept at this). You will never be certain what technology will catch fire next and become the new standard, but being aware of it could certainly help. Staying up to date with the latest in technology news will allow to be aware of any new ways of doing what you currently do.

Ok, so you've seen something that can replace something you already own in the future - how do you know when to quit investing in your current setup and move into the newest technology. Here are a few keys to consider.

Make sure the new thing offers considerable benefits - there is no reason to move horizontally with your technology
Make sure the new thing will work as intended - you don't want to invest in a new technology that isn't polished enough to work to where it does the functions it was intended to.
Make sure the new thing will become a standard - ever bought an HD DVD player? If you have I bet you feel rather foolish.

There is no way to tell if a new technology will catch on and last for a while, because newer technology is already being worked on to replace it. Let's take an example.

Example: Blu-ray media

Blu-ray media offers the ability to offer High Def movies in a physical format. Many, but not all people will consider HD quality a substantial benefit, and it also has already proven to work as intended, and also it has beaten out HD DVD to become the standard high capacity portable disc media for movies. So, why would we consider dumping blu-ray already? I mean I just bought my first PS3 last year, I can't afford to buy more equipment to watch my movies!

Well, there are already efforts to develop more advanced lasers to store more media on a disc than even a blu-ray. These new media discs could possibly contain an entire collection of movies in HD. Well, if that is the case you would probably be tempted to go ahead and buy this new laser disc reader/player as soon as possible right? Well, no. You should definitely wait until that technology becomes a standard for the industry.

Things are different in today's world though. You don't have to choose between CD, or cassette. Now you can choose to listen to your music in a variety of ways digitally, and we are just stepping into the world of streaming movies. While this isn't directly in line with the past progression of technology of playing movies (VHS->DVD->Blu-ray on physical media), it takes a step to the side and will start a new progression of technology.

Part of knowing when to quit using a technology is to know when it is becoming obsolete. Blu-ray is by no means obsolete yet, but very well could become replaced by most homes with streaming movies soon. With such improved bandwidth availability to most homes, it will become easier and easier to view your movies using a completely different technology.

Personally, I think in 3 years most people will be watching HD quality movies through streaming services such as Netflix. Blu-ray will still be a great choice for watching movies on the go, such as our current portable DVD players. As cell phone coverage and capability increases though and data becomes more available wirelessly there will be less and less a need for physical media. Eventually we will all be able to watch our movie collection from anywhere in the world.