Hello all,
Some of you may remember the sayings from your parents. "There is no such thing as a free lunch" which may seem to contradict with "The best things in life are free", but I suggest that they go hand in hand. Because since nothing is free, the best things in life are not available.
I was recently approached by someone from outside a particular business. who resells their consulting services. They asked to have software installed on the network, because "It's FREE!"
I immediately responded, "Really, it's free? GREAT, then you can host it for us for FREE then, right? And train us for free, right? Since it really doesn't cost anything, you can do it all for us for FREE.....GREAT!"
"Well, the software is free, but you have to install it"
"I charge $175 per hour, but you told me it is FREE?!?! I have to buy a server and use my electricity? You mean I have to update it and take care of it too? Now, it is not free? So what is it, free or not free?"
I had a pretty good time with this because this particular technology professional really doesn't know much about technology, but proclaims that they do. It gives me personal satisfaction when I am able to expose that the King is wearing no clothing. The bad part is that the King has powers and has used those power to make my life difficult.
The discussion progressed as we talked about this Free software. So we began to add up the costs together.
Dedicated Server to host the Free Software: $4500 (replace after 3 years)
Install and configure Free Software: 4-6 hours at $175/hr. ($875)
Annual maintenance/updates to Free software: 10-20 hrs at $175 ($2625)
Annual system break/fix and user training for FREE software: 10-20 hrs at $175 ($2625)
Added bandwidth/network/security/firewall costs for FREE software: $2500
Electricity/AC/rack space for FREE software: $2400
My time arguing you about FREE SOFTWARE: PRICELESS
Now, you can add it all up on how much this free software is going to cost. Free software isn't free at all. It never is free.
Turns out, this particular company was selling their consulting services for this FREE software at a substantial cost. So I responded..."Since the software is "free" shouldn't your services for this software also be free?"
Turns out, if I was asked, we already have similar products that do the same thing, and in some cases better than the FREE software.
There is NO such thing as a free lunch, a free puppy, or FREE Software!
So, when you evaluate the cost of software, you must factor in ALL the costs of the software. I believe that when you do that, you will find that many or most of the hosted SaaS software, while appearing more costly, is actually cheaper and may provide more services and features than a FREE puppy/software.
What are your experiences?
Tom
Friday, November 9, 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
The Presidential election, my thoughts
Hello all,
I began typing a short Facebook posting and came up with a little more than I thought appropriate for Facebook. But looking at what I wrote, I am still not sure what business it has being posted on a tech blog either. But as I looked at the word Schmogesblog, it seems to fit quite nice. Enjoy.
I have always believed the lessons taught to me long ago, by the old timers back in my Grandfather's and Uncle's auto shop. I am experiencing their truth and wisdom as I get older. And in light of this election what they left me with seems to ring more true. It doesn't matter to which party you affiliate yourself, you can not, and should not count on any government. It might be here today, gone tomorrow.
They would tell me things like, "Boy, you need to learn to do for yourself. You need to be smart, get an education and learn everything you can to survive. And not just survive in society, but literally survive as if you had to start with nothing but the clothes on your back. Learn the basics, and learn them well. Food/water, shelter, clothing. Don't be lazy and don't take anything you have for granted. Fix whenever possible rather than replace. And be friends with people that are as resourceful as you, and learn from them."
I share this as I watched the debate last night and I came to the conclusion that no matter who is president, America is on a path that can not be righted by one man or one government. If America is going to get out of this funk, it has to start and come from "WE the people" first. I believe we do not have enough people willing to do what it takes to get us on the right path; opposed to the people who, for whatever reason, feel they deserve to be exempt from participation. Yes, all socioeconomic classes, all races, all religions, and political and philosophical beliefs. While there is usually "We should..." being thrown around, the underlying theme I hear is "They need to...", "You should...." and "It should come from...."
There are many things we can learn from history; from the old timers. One take away I have from all of this election stuff is that no matter how you want to say it, through out all history, for bad or worse, Natural Selection always works.
As always, Just Sayin.
Tom
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Do you have a quirky stuff saving habit?
Hello all,
I am going to share a story I find amusing, and I would like to hear your story about this.
The other day I was in my garage, cleaning things up and moving things around when I had a flashback to my childhood that got me laughing at myself. I realized I have some of the same habits that I observed in others around me.
When I was quite young I hung around my uncles and other old timers who were a part of the Great Depression. Many of these people were mechanically inclined and worked on cars and just about everything else in their life. I remember it as if it were yesterday, sweeping the floor of my grandfather's auto repair place, some old timer yelling to me, "Come here boy! I want to learn you something!"
These old-timer guys were my true heroes. Sure, there was Robin Yount, Cecil Cooper, Don Money, Gorman Thoms, Jim Gantner, Paul Molitor and all kinds of other sports athletes that wow'd me. They were fun to watch from a distance, but these old guys knew everything.
I would sit and listen to their stories about just about everything under the sun. They would talk about the hard times when they were growing up, things that they did to entertain themselves (like actually play OUTSIDE!) and the mischief they would get into. I really miss those stories.
"Come here boy!" usually meant I was in trouble or they were going to show me something. I learned all kinds of stuff about cars and fixing stuff. They just did things creatively right. But more than only listening to their stories, I observed and learn from what they did without telling me. And this is what got me laughing.
When these guys would change the oil in a car, they would turn the cans upside down and put them in funnel, and let them sit there for a few hours. Remember the old oil cans that you would open with a can opener? Or, if you were 'high tech' you would have one of those gouge pour funnels that you could just pour the oil into the valve cover opening. So they would let these cans sit in a funnel for a few hours to squeeze every last drop of oil out of the can. After about 20 quarts of oil, they would save about 1 quart of oil in a jar to use for themselves. You could imagine that if you change enough oil you could save enough to change your own oil when that time arrived.
So, I have 5 empty quarts of oil standing upside down with the cap on, with about 1-2 tablespoons of oil resting in them, waiting to be poured out into the master oil bottle collector. My old-timer mentors would be happy and proud to know that their legacy live on. I might even get an "Attaboy!"
So what is your story?
Tom
I am going to share a story I find amusing, and I would like to hear your story about this.
The other day I was in my garage, cleaning things up and moving things around when I had a flashback to my childhood that got me laughing at myself. I realized I have some of the same habits that I observed in others around me.
When I was quite young I hung around my uncles and other old timers who were a part of the Great Depression. Many of these people were mechanically inclined and worked on cars and just about everything else in their life. I remember it as if it were yesterday, sweeping the floor of my grandfather's auto repair place, some old timer yelling to me, "Come here boy! I want to learn you something!"
These old-timer guys were my true heroes. Sure, there was Robin Yount, Cecil Cooper, Don Money, Gorman Thoms, Jim Gantner, Paul Molitor and all kinds of other sports athletes that wow'd me. They were fun to watch from a distance, but these old guys knew everything.
I would sit and listen to their stories about just about everything under the sun. They would talk about the hard times when they were growing up, things that they did to entertain themselves (like actually play OUTSIDE!) and the mischief they would get into. I really miss those stories.
"Come here boy!" usually meant I was in trouble or they were going to show me something. I learned all kinds of stuff about cars and fixing stuff. They just did things creatively right. But more than only listening to their stories, I observed and learn from what they did without telling me. And this is what got me laughing.
When these guys would change the oil in a car, they would turn the cans upside down and put them in funnel, and let them sit there for a few hours. Remember the old oil cans that you would open with a can opener? Or, if you were 'high tech' you would have one of those gouge pour funnels that you could just pour the oil into the valve cover opening. So they would let these cans sit in a funnel for a few hours to squeeze every last drop of oil out of the can. After about 20 quarts of oil, they would save about 1 quart of oil in a jar to use for themselves. You could imagine that if you change enough oil you could save enough to change your own oil when that time arrived.
So, I have 5 empty quarts of oil standing upside down with the cap on, with about 1-2 tablespoons of oil resting in them, waiting to be poured out into the master oil bottle collector. My old-timer mentors would be happy and proud to know that their legacy live on. I might even get an "Attaboy!"
So what is your story?
Tom
Thursday, April 19, 2012
How does a brain of a tech person really work?
Hello again all,
A few days ago, after helping someone with a fairly complex computer/network problem, I was asked, "How in (expletive) did you figure that out? How does your brain work?" We had a few laughs and I began to wonder that myself. So I began thinking......
The concept of "normal" is all based on relativity. I believe that most of us use the standard gauge measure of 'normal' as ourself. "I am normal" and everything is either left, right, or in-line with "normal". But what if somewhere along the line of brain function, I was introduced to 'abby normal' (Young Frankenstein reference). My standard of normal wouldn't change because I am still "normal"; only to which side the balance most ideas/people rest.
First, I and my friends are convinced that that if there is a filter between my brain and my mouth/keyboard it simply doesn't work. Things just seem to slip out and before I know it, I am wishing I could reel it back before it reaches anyone. I have this saying, "If I have offended you, I truly apologize. If I haven't, wait a few minutes, I'll get to you as soon as I can."
So, with these two presuppositions, I am 'normal' and any chance of having a working filter doesn't exist, how does my thought/reason process, my brain, actually work?
Plinko in 3D and an absence of gravity!
A thought, idea, concept, problem, issue, etc someone gets into my head. It then bumps into and knocks up against all kinds of other thoughts, ideas, concepts, problems, issues, etc, on its way to some sort of resolution or conclusion. The resolution or conclusion then itself becomes a part of the Plinko game, thereby furthering the game.
Some people believe that in Plinko, the ball or peg bounces around nilly-willy without rhyme or reason and just happens to end in a certain spot because of random chance. I don't believe that for a second. I believe there is some calculation and groups of calculations, which, if we could properly put it all together, we could understand and even plan a certain outcome. We call actions or events "random" because we can't or don't want to spend the brain power figuring out the how and why. And even if we would have a magical algorithm that figures out everything, there is a string that throws off everything; "but God...".
So, my brain and that of most IT tech people, in some strange way, works like a giant 3D Plinko game.
Thoughts?
A few days ago, after helping someone with a fairly complex computer/network problem, I was asked, "How in (expletive) did you figure that out? How does your brain work?" We had a few laughs and I began to wonder that myself. So I began thinking......
The concept of "normal" is all based on relativity. I believe that most of us use the standard gauge measure of 'normal' as ourself. "I am normal" and everything is either left, right, or in-line with "normal". But what if somewhere along the line of brain function, I was introduced to 'abby normal' (Young Frankenstein reference). My standard of normal wouldn't change because I am still "normal"; only to which side the balance most ideas/people rest.
First, I and my friends are convinced that that if there is a filter between my brain and my mouth/keyboard it simply doesn't work. Things just seem to slip out and before I know it, I am wishing I could reel it back before it reaches anyone. I have this saying, "If I have offended you, I truly apologize. If I haven't, wait a few minutes, I'll get to you as soon as I can."
So, with these two presuppositions, I am 'normal' and any chance of having a working filter doesn't exist, how does my thought/reason process, my brain, actually work?
Plinko in 3D and an absence of gravity!
A thought, idea, concept, problem, issue, etc someone gets into my head. It then bumps into and knocks up against all kinds of other thoughts, ideas, concepts, problems, issues, etc, on its way to some sort of resolution or conclusion. The resolution or conclusion then itself becomes a part of the Plinko game, thereby furthering the game.
Some people believe that in Plinko, the ball or peg bounces around nilly-willy without rhyme or reason and just happens to end in a certain spot because of random chance. I don't believe that for a second. I believe there is some calculation and groups of calculations, which, if we could properly put it all together, we could understand and even plan a certain outcome. We call actions or events "random" because we can't or don't want to spend the brain power figuring out the how and why. And even if we would have a magical algorithm that figures out everything, there is a string that throws off everything; "but God...".
So, my brain and that of most IT tech people, in some strange way, works like a giant 3D Plinko game.
Thoughts?
Monday, April 16, 2012
Minuteman UPS follow-up
Hello all,
This is a follow-up to my previous blog about all the problems I was having with my Minuteman 3000RM2U.
Everything in my previous blog is still accurate, however, there is a happy ending.
Today, I received 8 new SNMP-SSL cards from the manufacturer. I spent about 3 hours installing them and configuring them. I am glad to say they are running and performing as I would have expected.
These might turn out to be good UPS systems. Time will have to make up for it.
This is a follow-up to my previous blog about all the problems I was having with my Minuteman 3000RM2U.
Everything in my previous blog is still accurate, however, there is a happy ending.
Today, I received 8 new SNMP-SSL cards from the manufacturer. I spent about 3 hours installing them and configuring them. I am glad to say they are running and performing as I would have expected.
These might turn out to be good UPS systems. Time will have to make up for it.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Minuteman UPS systems - my anger- STAY AWAY.
Hello all,
Here is a short story of my very first experience with Minuteman UPS's. I have been working on 8 - 3000KV 2-U RM units.
The UPS's look pretty and solid. They seemed to be okay and honestly, they seem to function okay. The problem comes with the network management card, SNMP-SSL. That is the name of the card.
I fired up the UPS systems and remoted into the system with their RJ45 to DB9 interface, using HyperTerminal. I set a static address and turned off DHCP.
I opened up a web browser to finish configuring it with a pretty interface. According to their instructions, one step is to check the firmware version with what is available online. I did. The firmware on the SNMP-SSL card is 2.05 and the download version is 2.10. I downloaded the new version from their website. Again, according to their instructions, you can upgrade the SNMP-SSL card via the embedded web server or their special upgrade utility.
I upgraded the card with their web server, connected using Windows 7, 64bit, using IE8. The upgrade seemed to take just fine, but didn't. For some reason, every the card is restarted, DHCP is re-enabled and the static IP Address is over written with a DHCP address. Every time a setting is changed in the card, the card asks to be restarted for the settings to be applied. And...as you can guess, if I reset the card, I lose connectivity to the card because it reassigns a DHCP address. I proved this over and over again. And then I called support. OI!
At first they did not believe me that this was the problem. They had me do all kinds of things that, if I could, I would have reached through the phone and strangled the guy. "Is it plugged in...is it displaying a page...are there lights on...." Okay...I get it...they have to go through every possible thing. But once I let them know I kinda know what I am doing in general, he should have backed off a bit.
So, he had me re-flash the firmware, nada. Then he said that the web based upgrade doesn't work on IE, so I tried Firefox, nada. Then he said that it doesn't work on Windows 7, so I went to Windows XP. So then they said that the flash doesn't work in the web version at all, and I need to use their special utility to upgrade the firmware, nada. Then they said that I needed to use a special version of the utility that they had to send me in order for the flash to work, nada.
After about 10 hrs of messing around with this I finally blew a gasket. Did I mention that these are brand new out of the box?
I asked for them to join.me in a session because they still didn't believe what was happening. Once they saw it happen right before their eyes, the excuses just kept flying. "We have thousands of these out in production and this is the first time we are hearing ANY problems!" Really?!?! Why is it that is seems that I find all kinds of unknown and unreported bugs? In this case, maybe nobody else is using the management cards for management? I just have a hard time believing that "I Tom Hafemann" am finding all kinds of bugs that nobody else in the entire world can find.
So...the manufacturer of the Minuteman UPS's are sending me 8 new SNMP-SSL cards. If they don't work right out of the box they are going back. The WHOLE THINGS!
Above all of this, I haven't even begun to configure management yet. In order to configure the SSL Manager I must have static connection to the Manager server! Even more GRRRRRRRR.
If you don't mind spending all kinds of time on something simple like a UPS, by all means save some money and buy Minuteman UPS. Otherwise, buy something for a little more that you know works and will not give you any problems.
A few years ago I tried Eaton UPS and it was really good. The thing just works, management just works. The clients just work. I had the UPS up and running and totally configured on all the systems I wanted in about 2 hrs.
Here is a short story of my very first experience with Minuteman UPS's. I have been working on 8 - 3000KV 2-U RM units.
The UPS's look pretty and solid. They seemed to be okay and honestly, they seem to function okay. The problem comes with the network management card, SNMP-SSL. That is the name of the card.
I fired up the UPS systems and remoted into the system with their RJ45 to DB9 interface, using HyperTerminal. I set a static address and turned off DHCP.
I opened up a web browser to finish configuring it with a pretty interface. According to their instructions, one step is to check the firmware version with what is available online. I did. The firmware on the SNMP-SSL card is 2.05 and the download version is 2.10. I downloaded the new version from their website. Again, according to their instructions, you can upgrade the SNMP-SSL card via the embedded web server or their special upgrade utility.
I upgraded the card with their web server, connected using Windows 7, 64bit, using IE8. The upgrade seemed to take just fine, but didn't. For some reason, every the card is restarted, DHCP is re-enabled and the static IP Address is over written with a DHCP address. Every time a setting is changed in the card, the card asks to be restarted for the settings to be applied. And...as you can guess, if I reset the card, I lose connectivity to the card because it reassigns a DHCP address. I proved this over and over again. And then I called support. OI!
At first they did not believe me that this was the problem. They had me do all kinds of things that, if I could, I would have reached through the phone and strangled the guy. "Is it plugged in...is it displaying a page...are there lights on...." Okay...I get it...they have to go through every possible thing. But once I let them know I kinda know what I am doing in general, he should have backed off a bit.
So, he had me re-flash the firmware, nada. Then he said that the web based upgrade doesn't work on IE, so I tried Firefox, nada. Then he said that it doesn't work on Windows 7, so I went to Windows XP. So then they said that the flash doesn't work in the web version at all, and I need to use their special utility to upgrade the firmware, nada. Then they said that I needed to use a special version of the utility that they had to send me in order for the flash to work, nada.
After about 10 hrs of messing around with this I finally blew a gasket. Did I mention that these are brand new out of the box?
I asked for them to join.me in a session because they still didn't believe what was happening. Once they saw it happen right before their eyes, the excuses just kept flying. "We have thousands of these out in production and this is the first time we are hearing ANY problems!" Really?!?! Why is it that is seems that I find all kinds of unknown and unreported bugs? In this case, maybe nobody else is using the management cards for management? I just have a hard time believing that "I Tom Hafemann" am finding all kinds of bugs that nobody else in the entire world can find.
So...the manufacturer of the Minuteman UPS's are sending me 8 new SNMP-SSL cards. If they don't work right out of the box they are going back. The WHOLE THINGS!
Above all of this, I haven't even begun to configure management yet. In order to configure the SSL Manager I must have static connection to the Manager server! Even more GRRRRRRRR.
If you don't mind spending all kinds of time on something simple like a UPS, by all means save some money and buy Minuteman UPS. Otherwise, buy something for a little more that you know works and will not give you any problems.
A few years ago I tried Eaton UPS and it was really good. The thing just works, management just works. The clients just work. I had the UPS up and running and totally configured on all the systems I wanted in about 2 hrs.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
VMWare 5 Certified!
Hello all,
Short update on the VMWare VCP class.
After the lecture was over on Friday, I immediately went into the testing center to take my test.
All week long and even prior to attending the VCP class, I had been studying to take the VCP5 test. After class was over I would go back to my room and study. I did this every night until between midnight at 2 am, and then wake up at 6 to goto class. The rest of the class would go out at night to eat and party. My classmates invited me out, however, I declined because I wanted to study for the test. All week long they gave me grief, mocking me for "studying" in my room. While I knew the kidding was in fun, I knew what I was there to do.
The first response upon announcing I was taking the test was from a super funny Englishman who said, "Well you must be bloody (expletive) in the head!" Others followed with their own ribbing and a good yuck, yuck.
So off to the testing center. If any of you have taken a certification test recently, you know that it can be quite an ordeal. You have to read, or be read to, all sorts of documents, your picture is taken, you electronically sign documents, all of this is before you even are able to take a test. The whole ordeal can take 10-15 minutes. I was first and other were behind me.
Let me back up a bit. Typically, at this training and testing facility, they do not allow students to take the test immediately after the class. They recommend a day pass, or even a few weeks for you to study the materials and be absolutely ready for the test. This was my first time at this facility, who was sub contracted from the main company I use, CED Solutions in Atlanta, GA. This new facility was not going to allow anyone to test until I asked them to call the Atlanta location. The gentleman called and they said that nobody could test. I asked him to mention my name and ask for an exception. He told them my name and they said, "Oh, it's Tom...let him test....if he says he is ready, he is!" So there was a special dispensation given to even test after the class.
I went into the test booth a little nervous as I have never taken a VMWare test. As soon as the test popped up I knew I was prepared. 86 questions and 120 minutes to complete. I was out of there in 26 minutes.
I stepped out of the room and back where the others were preparing to take the test. The testing gentleman was getting his second tester prepared to take the test.
The gentleman asked, "What's wrong?"
I said, "Nothing...all done."
"Right, did it fail or bomb out?"
"No, I'm done and I passed!"
Just then we heard the noise of the printer starting to warm up as it began printing the testing report results. 444 out of 500. 300 is passing. The testing gentleman was shaking his head and yelled out, "Damn boy! I have never seen anyone take, and PASS a test that fast!"
I walked back into the classroom where many of my classmates and the instructor were. They asked, "So you decided to not take the test after all?"
I held up my paper and told them I passed. The instructor said, "LET ME SEE THAT!"
My Englishman lab mate yelled out, "Bloody balls of steel, have you!? LOOK OUT everyone, Tom's balls just hit the floor!" (his words, not mine) to the eruption of laughter and congratulations from the entire room.
Nobody else who took the test that day passed.
Later that evening, I did joined the guys in going out to celebrate not only the end of the class, but the fact that I passed the test. I had 24 Buffalo Wild Wings, and a few cold ones. The guys told me that I did it right. They all have to go back home and not only do their jobs, but find time to study AND go take their test, again.
Ah, sweet victory.
Short update on the VMWare VCP class.
After the lecture was over on Friday, I immediately went into the testing center to take my test.
All week long and even prior to attending the VCP class, I had been studying to take the VCP5 test. After class was over I would go back to my room and study. I did this every night until between midnight at 2 am, and then wake up at 6 to goto class. The rest of the class would go out at night to eat and party. My classmates invited me out, however, I declined because I wanted to study for the test. All week long they gave me grief, mocking me for "studying" in my room. While I knew the kidding was in fun, I knew what I was there to do.
The first response upon announcing I was taking the test was from a super funny Englishman who said, "Well you must be bloody (expletive) in the head!" Others followed with their own ribbing and a good yuck, yuck.
So off to the testing center. If any of you have taken a certification test recently, you know that it can be quite an ordeal. You have to read, or be read to, all sorts of documents, your picture is taken, you electronically sign documents, all of this is before you even are able to take a test. The whole ordeal can take 10-15 minutes. I was first and other were behind me.
Let me back up a bit. Typically, at this training and testing facility, they do not allow students to take the test immediately after the class. They recommend a day pass, or even a few weeks for you to study the materials and be absolutely ready for the test. This was my first time at this facility, who was sub contracted from the main company I use, CED Solutions in Atlanta, GA. This new facility was not going to allow anyone to test until I asked them to call the Atlanta location. The gentleman called and they said that nobody could test. I asked him to mention my name and ask for an exception. He told them my name and they said, "Oh, it's Tom...let him test....if he says he is ready, he is!" So there was a special dispensation given to even test after the class.
I went into the test booth a little nervous as I have never taken a VMWare test. As soon as the test popped up I knew I was prepared. 86 questions and 120 minutes to complete. I was out of there in 26 minutes.
I stepped out of the room and back where the others were preparing to take the test. The testing gentleman was getting his second tester prepared to take the test.
The gentleman asked, "What's wrong?"
I said, "Nothing...all done."
"Right, did it fail or bomb out?"
"No, I'm done and I passed!"
Just then we heard the noise of the printer starting to warm up as it began printing the testing report results. 444 out of 500. 300 is passing. The testing gentleman was shaking his head and yelled out, "Damn boy! I have never seen anyone take, and PASS a test that fast!"
I walked back into the classroom where many of my classmates and the instructor were. They asked, "So you decided to not take the test after all?"
I held up my paper and told them I passed. The instructor said, "LET ME SEE THAT!"
My Englishman lab mate yelled out, "Bloody balls of steel, have you!? LOOK OUT everyone, Tom's balls just hit the floor!" (his words, not mine) to the eruption of laughter and congratulations from the entire room.
Nobody else who took the test that day passed.
Later that evening, I did joined the guys in going out to celebrate not only the end of the class, but the fact that I passed the test. I had 24 Buffalo Wild Wings, and a few cold ones. The guys told me that I did it right. They all have to go back home and not only do their jobs, but find time to study AND go take their test, again.
Ah, sweet victory.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
VMWare vSphere 5 training Day 0
Hello all,
As many of you know, in order to keep up with technology, training is often required. Let me emphasize OFTEN! It seems like only a 5-6 years ago we were installing VMWare ESX 2 and now we are on ESXi 5. That is because we were! It seems that with technology, it is one of the areas in life that not only do new things come along and change fast, but technology becomes obsolete literally in a few years.
This morning I left my home at 3:45 am and began my annual pilgrimage to training. Typically I follow the 3 year cycle for Cisco, Microsoft, and Novell/Linux. This year is a bit different.
We have a fairly substantial VMWare infrastructure. It is nice and works great. With the help of my friends and my past experiences I was able to build a nice infrastructure. Things are about to get crazy.
About a week ago we began a server room upgrade project. We are building a brand new MDF and need to migrate all of it to this new room. One would assume that moving from one room to the next would simply mean picking up what we have and putting it in another room. Simple unplug and plug it back in. That would be true if we were building the EXACT same server room. Because of some of the new and more complex configurations, there are some additional skills that are required. Think of it like this. Let's say your knee is worn out. You goto the doctor and he says that either you can get some surgery to fix your knee or you can get a knee replacement. Both fix the issue in their own way, but both require two sets of skills to accomplish. I believe I could do this all without additional training, but what if I get half way into this migration and say, "Ooops! Now what?" This vSphere 5.0 training and certification should help answer many of those advanced questions.
So, I got on the plane. Very long story but US Airways is now my least favorite airline. I have a broke CPAP machine that was a checked carry-on luggage piece that they somehow managed to crack. Grrrr.
I booked my shuttle from the airport to the hotel about a week ago. I confirmed it for a round trip of $55. When I arrived at the airport I got in the shuttle verified with the non-English speaking driver that it was $55 for a round trip. The "shuttle" was more like a family van. The entire dash didn't work so he relied on the GPS for speed information. He has the GPS set to Kmh!!! So, we were going 55 km per hour down the highway. Again....GRRRRRR! When I arrived at the hotel and got out, I said $55 round trip, he said no; $50 one way. I showed him the printed out the confirmation to which he replied "prices have changed". NICE!
I arrived at the hotel; Hyatt; nicer than most hotels at which I stay. I got some lunch and food for weekday meals.
Unlike most of my trainings, this training does not allow time to take the test during the class. I am scheduled to take the VCP test on Monday, March 5th back in Wisconsin. Class ends Saturday, March 3rd. So, I have an extra day to study. And since this is day 0, it doesn't count. Anything I do today gets me further ahead for the rest of the week. I figure I have to go through about 100 study questions per day. I can get through between 10 and 15 questions per hour. 12 hrs of school per day, 6 -10 hrs of studying. That is right 2 to 6 hrs of sleep per night after tonight. Ugh. These training sessions are brutal. Fortunately this is only a 5 day class. Cisco CCNP is usually a 17 day class.
Well, this was a fun break sharing with you all what is happening. Back to studying.
Tom
As many of you know, in order to keep up with technology, training is often required. Let me emphasize OFTEN! It seems like only a 5-6 years ago we were installing VMWare ESX 2 and now we are on ESXi 5. That is because we were! It seems that with technology, it is one of the areas in life that not only do new things come along and change fast, but technology becomes obsolete literally in a few years.
This morning I left my home at 3:45 am and began my annual pilgrimage to training. Typically I follow the 3 year cycle for Cisco, Microsoft, and Novell/Linux. This year is a bit different.
We have a fairly substantial VMWare infrastructure. It is nice and works great. With the help of my friends and my past experiences I was able to build a nice infrastructure. Things are about to get crazy.
About a week ago we began a server room upgrade project. We are building a brand new MDF and need to migrate all of it to this new room. One would assume that moving from one room to the next would simply mean picking up what we have and putting it in another room. Simple unplug and plug it back in. That would be true if we were building the EXACT same server room. Because of some of the new and more complex configurations, there are some additional skills that are required. Think of it like this. Let's say your knee is worn out. You goto the doctor and he says that either you can get some surgery to fix your knee or you can get a knee replacement. Both fix the issue in their own way, but both require two sets of skills to accomplish. I believe I could do this all without additional training, but what if I get half way into this migration and say, "Ooops! Now what?" This vSphere 5.0 training and certification should help answer many of those advanced questions.
So, I got on the plane. Very long story but US Airways is now my least favorite airline. I have a broke CPAP machine that was a checked carry-on luggage piece that they somehow managed to crack. Grrrr.
I booked my shuttle from the airport to the hotel about a week ago. I confirmed it for a round trip of $55. When I arrived at the airport I got in the shuttle verified with the non-English speaking driver that it was $55 for a round trip. The "shuttle" was more like a family van. The entire dash didn't work so he relied on the GPS for speed information. He has the GPS set to Kmh!!! So, we were going 55 km per hour down the highway. Again....GRRRRRR! When I arrived at the hotel and got out, I said $55 round trip, he said no; $50 one way. I showed him the printed out the confirmation to which he replied "prices have changed". NICE!
I arrived at the hotel; Hyatt; nicer than most hotels at which I stay. I got some lunch and food for weekday meals.
Unlike most of my trainings, this training does not allow time to take the test during the class. I am scheduled to take the VCP test on Monday, March 5th back in Wisconsin. Class ends Saturday, March 3rd. So, I have an extra day to study. And since this is day 0, it doesn't count. Anything I do today gets me further ahead for the rest of the week. I figure I have to go through about 100 study questions per day. I can get through between 10 and 15 questions per hour. 12 hrs of school per day, 6 -10 hrs of studying. That is right 2 to 6 hrs of sleep per night after tonight. Ugh. These training sessions are brutal. Fortunately this is only a 5 day class. Cisco CCNP is usually a 17 day class.
Well, this was a fun break sharing with you all what is happening. Back to studying.
Tom
Friday, January 13, 2012
When it comes to technology, what device should I buy?
Hello all,
Usually several time per day I am stopped by a friend, colleague, and even pets asking for a bit of advice concerning what to buy when it comes to technology. Should I buy a laptop, netbook, tablet, desktop, tower, TV, or a fish tank. They are paralyzed by the myriad of choices available to purchase and go into toxic lock down. They walk out of stores without purchasing anything. Most are looking for a simple answer, "buy 'this'" so that they can go buy it and live happily ever after. Well, if it were really that simple you wouldn't have to ask someone what to buy. The answer would be as clear as going to the grocery store to buy donuts. Everyone know that the ONLY donut that really exists is the Maple Fritter and everything else is just a Maple Fritter wannabe. Of course I use the analogy jokingly, kinda, in that there are so many option on what to purchase in technology. So what is right for you?
There are some very specific, high level realizations which must be accepted before any investment into personal technology.
1. It is a 1 to 3 year investment. While there will be lots of people in caveat mode right now reading this, there are certainly lots of factors that play into my recommendation. Just like purchasing anything, you hope to have it as long as possible, but in reality, it just doesn't work like that for technology.
2. Your device will cost you roughly 1/2 of it's original cost per year. If you buy a device for $500, you will spend about $250 per year to maintain it. Again, a very general estimation. Software and hardware maintenance, connection costs and downtime all figure into having additional costs associated with any technology device. Think about buying any technology much like you would that of buying a car. Once you buy a car the cost of it doesn't stop at the purchase. Same thing with technology.
3. There isn't any single device that does everything. No matter what you buy you will find something that you had hoped a device would do and can't. This is why it is so very important to lay out your exact expectations.
4. Things change. Hardware and software, and even people change. Most people who buy any technology device have a certain level of buyer remorse after the purchase. They get it home, unbox it, and find some quirk or little thing that will set them off and they begin to wonder, "did I buy the right thing?" And this happens literally hours after the purchase. Fast forward three+ months after having it for a while and seeing new things come on the market, the next statement I hear is, "I should have waited!" Go a little more forward into the future, usually 1-3 years and you will find some feature or software that you GOTTA have and say, "This is a piece of junk, I have to get a new device to do....."
Before anyone can suggest a device for you, you must answer a few questions. This is typically the hardest part for most people because if you don't know what to buy, you probably do not know what questions to ask.
Here is a list of questions for you to ponder as you narrow down what you are looking for in any device
1. Define what you want your device to do simply as if you are replacing what you are currently doing with another piece of hardware. This may sound silly but with the myriad of devices out there, this is VITAL in understanding the evolution of technology, and here is why.
I got a panic call from someone who just purchased brand new computers for their office. He said, "Tom, you gotta help me or I am going to get fired." (literally). They unboxed the computers, set up these state-of-the-art desktops with all sorts of bells and whistles, 32" monitors, graphics cards that were totally awesome, just some amazing equipment, and nothing worked.
The last technology refresh for this company happened in 2000, with Windows 98 stand alone computers. These were custom built computers which included 5 1/4 inch floppy drives which they still used today. The software they used was 16 bit based and would not run on Windows 7 x64 Ultimate edition. Their network connection in their office was still token ring.
While most people think as purchasing a new computer as a simple "upgrade" in hardware, many times there requires an upgrade in the process of tasks in order to correctly and properly receive new hardware and devices. Your old processes may still work, but often, with new technology, you must define exactly what you want your hardware to do before you purchase it. If the hardware can not do it, you may need to rethink what and how you want to accomplish your tasks.
Don't assume anything. In this process NEVER say, "All I want to do is......" because that is NEVER, EVER the case. "All I want to do is to connect to the Internet and do email" Okay, here is your 33.6k modem and your subscription to CompuServe. :) That will do exactly what you have asked for but probably not how you would expect.
2. What do you want to do? This is the point in which you can dream about exactly you see doing with your device. This is important because it will help answer the next question too. However, know that dreaming is free, getting a device to do everything you want it to do will cost you.
I have aquite eccentric acquaintance who is into computers and also into home brewing. He asked, one day, "I would like my computer help me brew my beer". This long story ends with a simple device called an Arduino, http://arduino.cc/en/, and suddenly he is not only brewing beer, but monitoring and controlling everything along the process.
What do you want your computer to do?
3. Do you want your device to be portable or stationary? You may laugh and think this question is silly, but it isn't. You will pay for portability! Maybe not in price as handheld devices are getting very cheap, but you will pay in features, speed, and functionality.
If you are buying a computer, you get more processing, memory, and bells and whistles on a traditional desktop/tower computer. Most people I talk with want the speed and processing power of a desktop, crammed into a portable computer, and want it to cost the same. That simply isn't going to happen. If you say that you want to do 3D modeling, graphics and picture manipulation, motion picture editing, and want to be mobile, be prepared to pay double or more the cost to be able to do it. You can cram all sorts of high end processing and memory into a desktop for a lot less than squeezing it into portable devices.
4. How do you want to connect to the Internet? Again, a somewhat silly question but there is a whole lot more to it.
If you buy any device, including most desktops, WIFI is pretty standard. You can connect to any open and free WIFI network. As we mature in technology, most typically want to be connected to a data connect Anytime, Anyplace, with Any device. Many of the cellular carriers now offer this service either as built into a device or a simple add-on to existing devices. They offer special deals on devices at their shops. Sometimes it is a phone device with data, other times it is a tablet or even a laptop with data, all depending on how you answered the first question, what do you want to do.
Connecting to the free WIFI connections is nice, but is being steadily replaced with the 3G and 4G networks (3G is currently supersaturated and painfully slow). Many people want to be connected 24/7. They want to use their devices to shop AND to do work.
So, I have taken you on the journey for you to answer a lot of questions about what YOU want. Now let me share what is out there, and you decide what is right for you. As I said previously, there isn't a SINGLE device that will do EVERYTHING you want to do. For that reason, and I know I am going to get backlash on this but here goes, one device simply won't do. As a start, one is fine, but I believe as most of my colleagues will agree, one is simply not enough.
1. Desktop and Tower. These are the tried and true devices that everyone seems to know. They will do just about anything you ask of them. They are quick, easily accessed, and allow one place to do stuff. They are not very portable and require a constant power supply (no battery powered). Unless you have a UPS, if the power goes off, so does the computer. These are the most cost effective, bang for the buck devices on the market today.
2. Laptop. I put this in its own category simply to draw some clear lines. A laptop, in its true form is a portable desktop. Laptops can be powerful and also power hungry devices that do much, if not all of the functions that a desktop in a portable fashion. They typically have higher end hardware that can perform high end computing.
3. Notebook. This too is in its own category to draw a clear line. A notebook is a slimmed down laptop. It can do many things that a laptop can do, but it has lower end hardware. You will find that many use laptop and notebook interchangeably, however, when you dig deeper, bottom line, a notebook will be lower end and cost less than a laptop. Think of the comparison like this, Ford Focus compared to a Cadillac CTS. Both have 4 doors, 4 wheels, steering wheel, radio, power windows, etc. One is a little nicer than the other and does a little more.
4. Netbook. This category is kinda new in the marketplace. These devices are intended for one thing, getting online quickly and cheaply. Typically they are small, ultra portable with no CD drive and very few external connections to any other devices. You turn them on, do some basic tasks, but most importantly get online to do work with web tools. Usually 10" screen or smaller in size, a smaller than standard keyboard, but super fast. The usual distinction between a Notebook and a Netbook is size and features. They will cost about the same, only the Netbook will be much smaller and have fewer gadgets and gizmos. Again, you pay for small.
4. Tablet PC. This is an odd duck category that came way ahead of its time, faded, and is now making a resurgence. There was a hole in technology between the traditional Laptop/Notebook/Netbook and the Pad market (iPad, Xoom, Acclaim, Galaxy, IdeaPad, etc). The hole is that of having all the features of a Laptop/Notebook/Netbook and combining them with the touch features and functions of the Pad market. The Tablet PC does just that. You get all the cool stuff that a Pad device gives you combined with the features, power and knowing capabilities of the laptop community, all in one. A major downside in these is cost. They can be expensive
5. Pad computing. I am going to lump just about all Pads into this category. There are literally dozens to choose from, most notably the Apple iPad, Motorola Xoom, Samsung Galaxy, Lenovo Ideapad, and even MORE coming out with the soon to be released Android OS called "Ice Cream Sandwich"
Pad computing is cool. I personally own 6 different pad devices and am looking to purchase my 7th simply to get my hands on Ice Cream Sandwich.
These are designed to do personal things very well. You can run all sorts of apps, watch movies, listen to music, watch movies, listen to music, read books with Amazon Kindle app or Nook app, and Google books. I use Skype every day on my pads. They are a lot of fun, entertaining, and I can do some work on them. However, when it comes down to doing serious work of administering a network or servers, analyzing data and most multi tasking activities, while possible, it can be difficult and annoying on a pad device. Add a wireless keyboard or a dock of sorts and it gets much better.
6. Reader devices. This is a new category for me, in that it is a new genre of devices that is catching "fire". I had originally thought that many of the reader devices would become assimilated into the pad devices simply because the Pad devices can already do pretty much all that the reader devices can do. However, having my hands on the Amazon Kindle fire recently, it is clear that the Reader devices are becoming more and more "Pad-ish" Their number one purpose in life is to connect you to publications and get you online. With the Fire, they have added all sorts of online connectivity which makes it more pad like.
7. Micro computing/hand held/Phone devices. Let's face it, a phone isn't a phone anymore. It is a computer that can act like a phone. The only reason that these devices are still around is that we'd all look pretty silly holding a 10" pad up to our head talking on the phone. Reminds me of the days when we use to walk around with these huge boom boxes on our shoulder so we could get our grove on anywhere, but I digress. Most of the time, with some exceptions, these are pretty much just smaller versions of Pad devices. If a 4" or 7" screen is enough for you to do everything you need to do, you are set. I know someone who has a Motorola Atrix with a docking station and can do most things with his phone. He loves it. http://www.motorola.com/Consumers/US-EN/Consumer-Product-and-Services/Mobile+Phone+Accessories/Docking-Stations/Atrix-Laptop-Dock-US-EN
8. TV PC. Despite my hesitation I am going to include this in the conversation. Many, if not most televisions that are on the market today are nothing more than a computer with a really big screen. They do one thing really well, they show us stuff. We watch TV, movies, look at pictures, etc. Back in the early to mid 1990's there was a concept way ahead of it's time called Web TV. You could purchase a box that connected to your TV and also had a modem that would dial out to your ISP. In the process you could sit in front of your TV and do anything on the Internet on your big 25" Zenith console TV. Fast forward to 2012 and you now have that feature standard on many TVs. You must either cable or wireless connect your TV into your Internet connection and you now have the Internet on your 72" LED TV. Get a keyboard and mouse, and you have a monster command center. You can be tied right into Hulu, NetFlix, or any online streaming video, audio systems. Soon, IPTV will be integrated where you call your friends and the camera on both ends turns on and you have a face to face conversation.
So, now I walked you through two things that should help you decided what to buy; what do you want and what is out there. So, what do I recommend?
(Drum roll)
I recommend everyone you develop a personal policy concerning personal computing needs that says something like:
I am going to develop skills, habits, application and technology usage that allows me to get to anything, at anytime, and on any device.
Once you get to this place in your technology paradigm, the device you use becomes little more than a personal preference of a means to accomplishing some goal.
Let me get a little more concrete on this concept. I personally and professionally have the goal that ANY data in my life should be able to be accessed, manipulated and used at Any Time, at Any Place, on Any Device.
How is that possible? It is a fundamental change in how we view what we do. One of the most simple changes I did was that I never store anything locally on any device. All of my data, while it may be local, I have it connected to the web so that I can get to it where ever I am. I happen to use dropbox personally. At the Campbellsport School District, we have server storage. Users can store their data on the server storage and retrieve it from ANY web page, any device.
Same with communication methods. My email, while there may be a local client, I connect to all web based applications. I use Gmail, Yahoo, GroupWise and several other systems that I can use any device to access my data.
But what about apps? This is a real sticking point with me. At times there is a need for a local application to take advantage of hardware. Any 3D modeling needs processing power and graphics. The virtual world is catching up but is not quite there yet. However, let's take some basic application that most of us know about, Microsoft Office. When you install it locally, it is quite cool and helps you do things. However, there is Google Docs out there that kinda does something similar. Microsoft Sharepoint and now Office360 are also live, online and do the same thing as the Office install.
As a final answer, because so many people ask, what do I use and recommend. It is kinda like asking an investment person what ONE thing would you invest if you were going to invest in only ONE thing. My answer, desktop. Just like investing in one thing, using one technology device has strengths and weaknesses, pro's and con's, advantages and disadvantages.
There are many web sites out there that can help you decide which device is right for you. Good luck in your search and let me know what you find.
Tom
p.s. There are 00000010 types of people that are reading this, those that get it and those that don't.
Usually several time per day I am stopped by a friend, colleague, and even pets asking for a bit of advice concerning what to buy when it comes to technology. Should I buy a laptop, netbook, tablet, desktop, tower, TV, or a fish tank. They are paralyzed by the myriad of choices available to purchase and go into toxic lock down. They walk out of stores without purchasing anything. Most are looking for a simple answer, "buy 'this'" so that they can go buy it and live happily ever after. Well, if it were really that simple you wouldn't have to ask someone what to buy. The answer would be as clear as going to the grocery store to buy donuts. Everyone know that the ONLY donut that really exists is the Maple Fritter and everything else is just a Maple Fritter wannabe. Of course I use the analogy jokingly, kinda, in that there are so many option on what to purchase in technology. So what is right for you?
There are some very specific, high level realizations which must be accepted before any investment into personal technology.
1. It is a 1 to 3 year investment. While there will be lots of people in caveat mode right now reading this, there are certainly lots of factors that play into my recommendation. Just like purchasing anything, you hope to have it as long as possible, but in reality, it just doesn't work like that for technology.
2. Your device will cost you roughly 1/2 of it's original cost per year. If you buy a device for $500, you will spend about $250 per year to maintain it. Again, a very general estimation. Software and hardware maintenance, connection costs and downtime all figure into having additional costs associated with any technology device. Think about buying any technology much like you would that of buying a car. Once you buy a car the cost of it doesn't stop at the purchase. Same thing with technology.
3. There isn't any single device that does everything. No matter what you buy you will find something that you had hoped a device would do and can't. This is why it is so very important to lay out your exact expectations.
4. Things change. Hardware and software, and even people change. Most people who buy any technology device have a certain level of buyer remorse after the purchase. They get it home, unbox it, and find some quirk or little thing that will set them off and they begin to wonder, "did I buy the right thing?" And this happens literally hours after the purchase. Fast forward three+ months after having it for a while and seeing new things come on the market, the next statement I hear is, "I should have waited!" Go a little more forward into the future, usually 1-3 years and you will find some feature or software that you GOTTA have and say, "This is a piece of junk, I have to get a new device to do....."
Before anyone can suggest a device for you, you must answer a few questions. This is typically the hardest part for most people because if you don't know what to buy, you probably do not know what questions to ask.
Here is a list of questions for you to ponder as you narrow down what you are looking for in any device
1. Define what you want your device to do simply as if you are replacing what you are currently doing with another piece of hardware. This may sound silly but with the myriad of devices out there, this is VITAL in understanding the evolution of technology, and here is why.
I got a panic call from someone who just purchased brand new computers for their office. He said, "Tom, you gotta help me or I am going to get fired." (literally). They unboxed the computers, set up these state-of-the-art desktops with all sorts of bells and whistles, 32" monitors, graphics cards that were totally awesome, just some amazing equipment, and nothing worked.
The last technology refresh for this company happened in 2000, with Windows 98 stand alone computers. These were custom built computers which included 5 1/4 inch floppy drives which they still used today. The software they used was 16 bit based and would not run on Windows 7 x64 Ultimate edition. Their network connection in their office was still token ring.
While most people think as purchasing a new computer as a simple "upgrade" in hardware, many times there requires an upgrade in the process of tasks in order to correctly and properly receive new hardware and devices. Your old processes may still work, but often, with new technology, you must define exactly what you want your hardware to do before you purchase it. If the hardware can not do it, you may need to rethink what and how you want to accomplish your tasks.
Don't assume anything. In this process NEVER say, "All I want to do is......" because that is NEVER, EVER the case. "All I want to do is to connect to the Internet and do email" Okay, here is your 33.6k modem and your subscription to CompuServe. :) That will do exactly what you have asked for but probably not how you would expect.
2. What do you want to do? This is the point in which you can dream about exactly you see doing with your device. This is important because it will help answer the next question too. However, know that dreaming is free, getting a device to do everything you want it to do will cost you.
I have aquite eccentric acquaintance who is into computers and also into home brewing. He asked, one day, "I would like my computer help me brew my beer". This long story ends with a simple device called an Arduino, http://arduino.cc/en/, and suddenly he is not only brewing beer, but monitoring and controlling everything along the process.
What do you want your computer to do?
3. Do you want your device to be portable or stationary? You may laugh and think this question is silly, but it isn't. You will pay for portability! Maybe not in price as handheld devices are getting very cheap, but you will pay in features, speed, and functionality.
If you are buying a computer, you get more processing, memory, and bells and whistles on a traditional desktop/tower computer. Most people I talk with want the speed and processing power of a desktop, crammed into a portable computer, and want it to cost the same. That simply isn't going to happen. If you say that you want to do 3D modeling, graphics and picture manipulation, motion picture editing, and want to be mobile, be prepared to pay double or more the cost to be able to do it. You can cram all sorts of high end processing and memory into a desktop for a lot less than squeezing it into portable devices.
4. How do you want to connect to the Internet? Again, a somewhat silly question but there is a whole lot more to it.
If you buy any device, including most desktops, WIFI is pretty standard. You can connect to any open and free WIFI network. As we mature in technology, most typically want to be connected to a data connect Anytime, Anyplace, with Any device. Many of the cellular carriers now offer this service either as built into a device or a simple add-on to existing devices. They offer special deals on devices at their shops. Sometimes it is a phone device with data, other times it is a tablet or even a laptop with data, all depending on how you answered the first question, what do you want to do.
Connecting to the free WIFI connections is nice, but is being steadily replaced with the 3G and 4G networks (3G is currently supersaturated and painfully slow). Many people want to be connected 24/7. They want to use their devices to shop AND to do work.
So, I have taken you on the journey for you to answer a lot of questions about what YOU want. Now let me share what is out there, and you decide what is right for you. As I said previously, there isn't a SINGLE device that will do EVERYTHING you want to do. For that reason, and I know I am going to get backlash on this but here goes, one device simply won't do. As a start, one is fine, but I believe as most of my colleagues will agree, one is simply not enough.
1. Desktop and Tower. These are the tried and true devices that everyone seems to know. They will do just about anything you ask of them. They are quick, easily accessed, and allow one place to do stuff. They are not very portable and require a constant power supply (no battery powered). Unless you have a UPS, if the power goes off, so does the computer. These are the most cost effective, bang for the buck devices on the market today.
2. Laptop. I put this in its own category simply to draw some clear lines. A laptop, in its true form is a portable desktop. Laptops can be powerful and also power hungry devices that do much, if not all of the functions that a desktop in a portable fashion. They typically have higher end hardware that can perform high end computing.
3. Notebook. This too is in its own category to draw a clear line. A notebook is a slimmed down laptop. It can do many things that a laptop can do, but it has lower end hardware. You will find that many use laptop and notebook interchangeably, however, when you dig deeper, bottom line, a notebook will be lower end and cost less than a laptop. Think of the comparison like this, Ford Focus compared to a Cadillac CTS. Both have 4 doors, 4 wheels, steering wheel, radio, power windows, etc. One is a little nicer than the other and does a little more.
4. Netbook. This category is kinda new in the marketplace. These devices are intended for one thing, getting online quickly and cheaply. Typically they are small, ultra portable with no CD drive and very few external connections to any other devices. You turn them on, do some basic tasks, but most importantly get online to do work with web tools. Usually 10" screen or smaller in size, a smaller than standard keyboard, but super fast. The usual distinction between a Notebook and a Netbook is size and features. They will cost about the same, only the Netbook will be much smaller and have fewer gadgets and gizmos. Again, you pay for small.
4. Tablet PC. This is an odd duck category that came way ahead of its time, faded, and is now making a resurgence. There was a hole in technology between the traditional Laptop/Notebook/Netbook and the Pad market (iPad, Xoom, Acclaim, Galaxy, IdeaPad, etc). The hole is that of having all the features of a Laptop/Notebook/Netbook and combining them with the touch features and functions of the Pad market. The Tablet PC does just that. You get all the cool stuff that a Pad device gives you combined with the features, power and knowing capabilities of the laptop community, all in one. A major downside in these is cost. They can be expensive
5. Pad computing. I am going to lump just about all Pads into this category. There are literally dozens to choose from, most notably the Apple iPad, Motorola Xoom, Samsung Galaxy, Lenovo Ideapad, and even MORE coming out with the soon to be released Android OS called "Ice Cream Sandwich"
Pad computing is cool. I personally own 6 different pad devices and am looking to purchase my 7th simply to get my hands on Ice Cream Sandwich.
These are designed to do personal things very well. You can run all sorts of apps, watch movies, listen to music, watch movies, listen to music, read books with Amazon Kindle app or Nook app, and Google books. I use Skype every day on my pads. They are a lot of fun, entertaining, and I can do some work on them. However, when it comes down to doing serious work of administering a network or servers, analyzing data and most multi tasking activities, while possible, it can be difficult and annoying on a pad device. Add a wireless keyboard or a dock of sorts and it gets much better.
6. Reader devices. This is a new category for me, in that it is a new genre of devices that is catching "fire". I had originally thought that many of the reader devices would become assimilated into the pad devices simply because the Pad devices can already do pretty much all that the reader devices can do. However, having my hands on the Amazon Kindle fire recently, it is clear that the Reader devices are becoming more and more "Pad-ish" Their number one purpose in life is to connect you to publications and get you online. With the Fire, they have added all sorts of online connectivity which makes it more pad like.
7. Micro computing/hand held/Phone devices. Let's face it, a phone isn't a phone anymore. It is a computer that can act like a phone. The only reason that these devices are still around is that we'd all look pretty silly holding a 10" pad up to our head talking on the phone. Reminds me of the days when we use to walk around with these huge boom boxes on our shoulder so we could get our grove on anywhere, but I digress. Most of the time, with some exceptions, these are pretty much just smaller versions of Pad devices. If a 4" or 7" screen is enough for you to do everything you need to do, you are set. I know someone who has a Motorola Atrix with a docking station and can do most things with his phone. He loves it. http://www.motorola.com/Consumers/US-EN/Consumer-Product-and-Services/Mobile+Phone+Accessories/Docking-Stations/Atrix-Laptop-Dock-US-EN
8. TV PC. Despite my hesitation I am going to include this in the conversation. Many, if not most televisions that are on the market today are nothing more than a computer with a really big screen. They do one thing really well, they show us stuff. We watch TV, movies, look at pictures, etc. Back in the early to mid 1990's there was a concept way ahead of it's time called Web TV. You could purchase a box that connected to your TV and also had a modem that would dial out to your ISP. In the process you could sit in front of your TV and do anything on the Internet on your big 25" Zenith console TV. Fast forward to 2012 and you now have that feature standard on many TVs. You must either cable or wireless connect your TV into your Internet connection and you now have the Internet on your 72" LED TV. Get a keyboard and mouse, and you have a monster command center. You can be tied right into Hulu, NetFlix, or any online streaming video, audio systems. Soon, IPTV will be integrated where you call your friends and the camera on both ends turns on and you have a face to face conversation.
So, now I walked you through two things that should help you decided what to buy; what do you want and what is out there. So, what do I recommend?
(Drum roll)
I recommend everyone you develop a personal policy concerning personal computing needs that says something like:
I am going to develop skills, habits, application and technology usage that allows me to get to anything, at anytime, and on any device.
Once you get to this place in your technology paradigm, the device you use becomes little more than a personal preference of a means to accomplishing some goal.
Let me get a little more concrete on this concept. I personally and professionally have the goal that ANY data in my life should be able to be accessed, manipulated and used at Any Time, at Any Place, on Any Device.
How is that possible? It is a fundamental change in how we view what we do. One of the most simple changes I did was that I never store anything locally on any device. All of my data, while it may be local, I have it connected to the web so that I can get to it where ever I am. I happen to use dropbox personally. At the Campbellsport School District, we have server storage. Users can store their data on the server storage and retrieve it from ANY web page, any device.
Same with communication methods. My email, while there may be a local client, I connect to all web based applications. I use Gmail, Yahoo, GroupWise and several other systems that I can use any device to access my data.
But what about apps? This is a real sticking point with me. At times there is a need for a local application to take advantage of hardware. Any 3D modeling needs processing power and graphics. The virtual world is catching up but is not quite there yet. However, let's take some basic application that most of us know about, Microsoft Office. When you install it locally, it is quite cool and helps you do things. However, there is Google Docs out there that kinda does something similar. Microsoft Sharepoint and now Office360 are also live, online and do the same thing as the Office install.
As a final answer, because so many people ask, what do I use and recommend. It is kinda like asking an investment person what ONE thing would you invest if you were going to invest in only ONE thing. My answer, desktop. Just like investing in one thing, using one technology device has strengths and weaknesses, pro's and con's, advantages and disadvantages.
There are many web sites out there that can help you decide which device is right for you. Good luck in your search and let me know what you find.
Tom
p.s. There are 00000010 types of people that are reading this, those that get it and those that don't.
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