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Tallest Sandcastle
Jun 17, 2007 Moved from Blogger Comments
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Awesome work, in my opinion. Unique, creative. And well, enough to be news-worthy.
[?]Why (I think) Linux won’t succeed on the desktop
Jun 16, 2007 Moved from Blogger Comments
Okay, the debate has been going on for a while, and it’s a bit late for my view, but well, here it is.
Firstly, I want to establish that the “Linux is free” argument isn’t really a factor. Most average users are going to buy computers and not make them by themselves. And these computers they buy are likely to come with Windows pre-installed. So technically it doesn’t cost too much (if anything) to stick with Windows. It’s a sunk cost. And basic economics tells you that sunk costs should be ignored.
More importantly, most people don’t think they have an OS problem. They aren’t going to go out of their way to find a new OS that gives slightly more stability or productivity. They’re comfortable sticking to what they have. Microsoft have created a really big dip in the OS business. The biggest hurdle Linux faces in getting to the masses is not the technical issues. It’s not drivers, migration, etc. Its biggest hurdle is to be remarkable and unique enough to stand out, to redefine the mindset of what personal computing is. Currently, “PC” is already synonymous with “Windows” (look at the Apple ads if you don’t believe me). And if Linux doesn’t change that mindset - if it doesn’t completely shift the current paradigm - people aren’t going to take notice of it, and it will not reach the masses.
How? I’m not sure. If I did, I’d be doing it myself. But I think developments like SymphonyOS might be on the right track. Technologically it might not quite be there yet. But it’s different enough to have the potential to succeed, in my opinion. And that’s what Linux needs to strive for. Not to just be better (it probably already is) but to be different and remarkable.
[?]Art of Innovation
Jun 16, 2007 Moved from Blogger Comments
A great talk by Guy Kawasaki.
On a side note, I think Zentation.com is a good website. Cool way of watching presentations and keynotes.
[?]YouTube Guide
Jun 15, 2007 Moved from Blogger Comments
Seth Godin gives another good idea: a Youtube Guide.
Opportunities are everywhere, and most of us don’t see it until the opportunity is taken.
I really wish I could see opportunities like Seth can. Have to train myself to, I guess. Any suggestions how?
[?]Do animals talk?
Jun 15, 2007 Moved from Blogger Comments
I think we’ve all wondered what it’d be like to talk to animals (at least once in our childhood days). To have an experience like the “Wild Thornberries” cartoon.
Last night I was just thinking. How do we know that animals even communicate? What’s to say they aren’t just making meaningless noises?
Imagine you’ve lived in a cave all your life and your first experience with technology/civilization is in New York City. You step on the street and you hear cars honking at each other (you don’t know what a car is, of course). Because you don’t know what the sound is, you could assume that these metallic beings are communicating with each other.
But we all know that isn’t true. The honking of cars doesn’t really mean much, does it? It’s just a sound to notify someone of your existence. It’s just noise. Isn’t it possible that animals are that way to?
Honestly, this probably doesn’t have that much implications on us. Just something I thought of.
And what about you? Are you just making a noise or are you truly saying something (with your life/actions/etc)?
[?]Priorities
Jun 15, 2007 Moved from Blogger Comments
From a friend’s blog (which I shan’t link to in order to respect the person’s privacy):
“I must stop doing what I like or feel like doing. It’s such childish behaviour. I’m already an adult (or at least close to an adult) and I should have more self control and do things that are more important and put other less important things aside. What should be my priority right now? Definitely studies right? But sadly I’m unable to make it my priority.”
I would ask, why is studies “definitely” a priority? Because society says so? I think it’s quite sad if society teaches our youths that doing what they like is childish. Your priorities should be defined by you, by what is important to you, not by what others say. Don’t you think so?
[?]Diversity
Jun 14, 2007 Moved from Blogger Comments
David Friedman writes about the Diversity Scam.
We all encourage diversity in the visible aspects such as race. But we tend to be unwilling to accept diversity when it comes to what really makes a person: their beliefs. A bit ironic, don’t you think?
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