Friday, May 13, 2011

TECH Update: Google's Strategy Part 1


For anyone watching Google, a trend should appear rather quickly. The massive corporation is leading the world to the future of computing and they have an ingenious strategy. The events and innovations I list are not in chronological order but allow me to piece it all together (I've divided it into a two part series because there is too much to cover):


Google believes in the power of the web but more specifically, HTML5; a powerful new web based code system that allows for far more powerful internet applications. This allows websites to have cooler designs, support better graphics and most importantly, establish a better foundation for heavier content like videos (videos are/will take over the internet). 
Google has been taking strong action to get us to rethink what the web is capable of.  After it established its dominance as a search engine, the company expanded into emailing with its Gmail service. Today Gmail has grown astoundingly fast, is easy to use and is the 4th most used email client in the world (as of Jan 2010) with embedded chat through Gchat, Aim and even video conference calling. 

Since then Google has come out with a slew of other free products such as Google Documents, Spreadsheets, Calendar, and Presentations; all of which have progressed quite well. Made and saved online, the products you make are accessible to you from any computer (and other devices) with an internet connection.

Although you don't need a Gmail account to use any of the named products, today, all your work via Google products can be simplified and centered around Gmail. 

Then, in Nov of 2007, Google developed its own phone software called Android. This surprised many people and left analysts scratching their heads. By now the iPhone had already been introduced and Blackberries were gaining popularity. What surprised many people was that Google was going to give this software out to phone companies for free. Most analysts were surprised and dismissed Google's venture as an unnecessary move by a company whose core business was Search (even today Gmail and Google Docs, etc don't make the company money). 

Today, the strategy seems more clear than ever. Android holds 1/3 of the U.S. market and is soon to be considered by most estimates as the most purchased smartphone system in the world as it releases 300,000 Andoird systems per day. Google still releases new Android systems for free and did enter the smartphone industry late, but is the market leader now. How has this helped the company? Android users now get Gmail pre-installed in every phone. They have access to Google Docs, Spreadsheet, etc instantly and have Google's Search engine built into the phone. Android ads are now expected to generate a billion dollars by 2012 as it released new information that its search engine in Android systems have increased existing revenues by 2.8 billion. 

The Android system has introduced Google's services to countless people but has reaped great revenues in ads and search for the company. Then the company expanded its Android system (late in the game) to the slate market; a market created and dominated completely by Apple's iPad. If Google follows the same strategy it did with the smartphone business, it will eventually have full control over the slate market.

In Part 2 I'll take into account Google's Chrome, Chrome OS and conclude!

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MY PASSION

JUST A FEW OF MY FAVORITES FROM MY PERSONAL COLLECTION








Tuesday, May 10, 2011

TECH Update: Giants Battle


It's been some time since my last post (just finished with finals, hello summer!) and also a while since I've posted a tech update. Over the past 48 hours, important things happened that will affect hundreds of millions of people, so let's get to it.



Over the past week there was much talk about Google or Facebook buying up the video chat company with some 200 million users worldwide. I would have preferred that Facebook buy it because the benefits would have been greater. The deal would have likely led to Facebook Chat being enhanced with a video Skype option where you can just call others, in browser.  Google already has a relatively strong video chat system in Gmail and Google voice is increasing in popularity. 

Out of nowhere, and much to my surprise, Twitter blew up with talk of Microsoft making the purchase; CEO's soon followed with the official announcement. As shown in the article attached, Hotmail, Xbox, and Windows 7 users will the the most direct beneficiaries. 

Facebook and Microsoft have had major business deals in the past (you can do a web search in Facebook and find "Web results" by Bing) so it won't be long before they hash out a deal to introduce some kind of video chatting via the social networking site. 
My concern is what Microsoft will try to do with Skype the program. Integrating the software is great and will surely enhance the Window 7 phone (instead of having Skype as a simple app), improve the huge but less than "sexy" Hotmail, and help Windows in its fight to get more "social" amidst Google's constant failures but this says nothing of what will happen with my (and 200 million others') experience on the program itself. The last thing I want to see is a constant message imploring me to buy everything Microsoft. 

I would have preferred it go to Facebook, but with Microsoft buying Skype, it may help level the playing field when it comes to Google's dominance in search, phone market, and email. 


Meanwhile, the conglomerate named Google has just opened its invite-only software called Music Beta. I'm waiting to get my invite to use the software (will come in a week hopefully) and can give you more time, but its a clear move by the company to sprint ahead of Apple's iTunes, the world's most used music player.

You see, many have demanded it, and even more are now expecting, that Apple will release a new version of iTunes that allows you to access your music from anything with an internet connection. Most people assume it will come with the new iPhone, and so do I from all the evidence, however the time its taken to establish the cloud network, has allowed Google (and previously before it) Amazon to run their own systems hoping to get ahead. 

Here is their introductory video:


As I understand it, it allows you to upload hundreds of thousands of songs (in the beta version) as opposed to Amazon's 5 gb. It would also have the greatest benefit of being pre-installed in every Android Phone and Android slate (and eventually into Google's Chrome laptop). 

This is the future of, not only music, but all computers; when they will be as light as a 1 subjective notebook (or lighter) with everything stored up above... in the cloud. 

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Monday, May 9, 2011

used dogs and truncheons to break up violent clashes between the Hells Angels and a rival biker gang in the northern city of Bremen and detained 52 suspects.

German police said Sunday they used dogs and truncheons to break up violent clashes between the Hells Angels and a rival biker gang in the northern city of Bremen and detained 52 suspects.
Officers moved in late Saturday when members of the Mongols gang descended on the local clubhouse of the Hells Angels.
"Members of the two clubs began provoking each other and it eventually led to injuries," police said in a statement.
A group of Mongols and their supporters that had been led away later began resisting police.
"In response, officers deployed dogs and truncheons," the statement said.
A total of 52 people were taken into custody, while one officer and two civilians were injured.
Many biker gangs in Germany have links to organised crime, leading to rampant violence between warring groups.

Friday, May 6, 2011

OLD SCHOOL MC SPOTLIGHT- DONALD D


Donald D came into hip hop as a bboy
breaking on the streets of the Bronx.
Legend be told is that when he saw Busy Bee Star sky rocking the mic at 123
par k in the sound view section of the Br onx with DJ Disco King Mario he knew
where his mission in hip hop was headed. Donald D
recall’s that he r an to the
cor ner bodega got a paper bag & pencil, and wr ote down the r hymes Star sky
said. While gr owing up, and playing basketball at the local Boys & Gir ls club he
met a DJ name Rashid, and along with rhyme partner Easy AD who would
later become a member of the Cold Crush Br other s star ted their own crew the
As Salaam Br others. They would play house par ties & a few out door jams
before they decided they wanted to go big time, and while walking down the
str eet one day they met DJ Kool Her c. Donald asked Her c could they play with
him, and he invited them to r ock with him at a club called the Spar kle, but
before the par ty could take place the club burnt down. After the As Salaam
Br other s broke up Donald D
became a member of the Universal Zulu Nation
when he join for ces with DJ Afrika Islam, DJ Jazzy J ay, DJ Super man, and 3
The Hard Way MC’s Kid Vicious and El J ay as the group The Funk Machine.
They would go on to become one of the best hip hop crews around in that time
period mainly known for their routines and Donald D
story telling rhymes. Islam and Jazzy Jay would be the fir st DJ ’s to do mixing & scratching routines together
on the turntables.
Radio & amp; Ma king Records.

When Hip Hop made it’s way into the downtown scene at the Roxy’s club, and
Afr ika Islam became the resident DJ he also had Donald along for the r ide. That
led to Afrika Islam star ting his radio show the Zulu Beat on W.H.B.I (New
York) in 1983, and when he needed an MC to rock them fresh rhymes he called
on D, also DJ Red Aler t was on boar d. What they did was unique by bringing
what they did at the par y’s to live radio. With Islam playing break beats and the
beat box Donald D would take the audience on a journey with his story telling
rhymes about Bruce Lee, Liza Minnelli, his friends,and a day in the life of
Donald D.
The Zulu Beat would be the fir st hip hop radio show to included live
inter views, and was the fir st to inform the public about the movie Wild Style
when Islam inter viewed Fab 5 Fr eddy. With the show intro done by actors
Cheech and Chong and the crazy voice overs the Zulu Beat tapes would be the first
Introduction, about the hip hop culture fr om New York when it made it’s way
To England.
Donald D's
recording journey began when the CEO of Vintertainment records
hear d him rhyming, and came up to the radio station. He would go into the
studio to record the song’s Two Three Break, Rock The House and Cuttin Herbie
under the group name The B Boys along with DJ Chuck Chill Out. The Rock
The House Ya’ll would go on to become one of hip hop’s most sample lyrics.
After 3 Recordings as a team Chuck went solo, and Donald would add a rap
par tner named Br other B,
and DJ Master T.
They would record the classics
Girls, Stick Up Kid and Girls Par t 2, and soon be out doing shows with Dougie
Fresh and Slick Rick, The Boogie Boys, Sparky D and others. After Master T
left
the group the DJ became a high school friend name DJ Jazzy G
as they continue
to r ock the house through out America. When the label decided not to have the
B Boys in their futur e plans Donald D went solo and recorded the songs Outlaw
which was on most radio play list & Dope J am on the label Rockin Hard
Records in 1987. Donald D along with Bronx Style Bob would also write the
lyrics for the Fat Boys song Ar e You Ready For Fr eddy for the movie A
Nightmare On Elm Street.
The West Coast

In 1988 Donald D headed out west to Los Angeles to be apart of Ice T's
Rhyme Syndicate Family. His fir st recording would be for the Rhyme Syndicate Comin Through compilation album as he brought his New York swagger to the land of
sunshine on the song titled Name Of The Game that featured Bronx Style Bob.
He would co write the song called the Syndicate that was on Ice T
Power album, and the summer of 88 he would tour with Ice on the dope jam tour that included big name artist Eric B and Rakim, Kool Moe Dee, KRS ONE and Biz Markie.
Donald D would go on to write, rhyme and produce, and be a major player on
many Ice T’s albums.

In 1989 Donald D would get his first full album record deal when he was signed
to Sony records. With the music production produced by Afrika Islam they
would record the album Notorious that would bring to life the hit single F.B.I.
that told the reality and truth about the world of drugs. He would become a r ole
model & spoke’s per son to travel to schools to speak to the youth about the
downside of drugs, but somehow Donald would wind up on the FBI hit list along
with rappers NWA, Public Enemy, Ice T and 2 Live Crew for his songs Car Chase
and Who Got The Gun.
The second album was recorded on the Warner Brother s label titled Let The
Horns Blow. The lp was fir st released through out Eur ope with it’s original
mixes, but when it was time for the American release the lp was put on hold,
because of sample clearance. By the time Donald got in the studio to r emix the
album the Rodney King up rising happen which delayed the lp, and he even had
to change one of the song titles which was called Looter s the original name for
the movie Tr espass, because the song was also featur ed on the soundtrack as
well in the film. Dr ama would come calling again when it was time for release
Ice T’s
cop killer song was the talk of the music industry, and within the
political world. With the threat of major corporation pulling stocks Warner
Br other s Records dropped Ice T, Donald D, and all r ap ar tist on the label.
Movies, TV and Radio
After many years as a recording artist Donald D took his act into the film
industry. He would go on to work with the movie soundtracks for Ricochet,
Trespass, Rhyme and Reason, The Freshest Kids, A Nightmare On Elm Street,
See No Evil Hear No Evil, Vatikan killer ,
and DonaldD instrumentals could be
hear d as background themes on Fox sports. He has acted in the movie Bang
which also featured Lucy Liu and rapper Everlast, he also acted in the gospel play
Faith and Temptation in Los Angeles. Donald would go on to do radio again with
rap legends Kurtis Blow and Whipper Whip doing the old school show on power
106 in (L.A.) Inter FM(Japan) with DJ Joey Slick, and his own Street Team
Show on Controradio (Italy).
The Future
The 21 st Century has seen Donald D
release the ep titled B.R.O.N.X which
means Beats Rhymes Of New Xperience. There will be a new B Boys album and
Donald D album Coming soon, also he is now wor king on his documentary
about his journey over the year s in hip hop. A man that’s always on a mission to
whole down the true hip hop foundation he has star ted a new group with rhyme
partner s Kid Jazz and Dynamax called the Bronx Syndicate. He has also been in
the studio recording new songs for the Stupid Americans project with JRO &
May Lay Sparks. Never one to be locked down to only hip hop music Donald is
also apart of the electronic/reggae/italian band Capucino.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Philosophy 101: Should We Celebrate Bin Laden's Death?

Over the past few days, I've delved into an intriguing topic of morality with many of my friends; the moral question at hand: Is it moral to celebrate the killing of Osama Bin Laden?

I extended the discussion through the blog's Facebook page with a poll asking readers the same question. see here. Feel free to contribute with your thoughts via the Facebook page or in the comments below. 

We wouldn't be having this conversation if there weren't massive celebrations around the country after the President formally announced that the United States military had killed the world's most wanted man. 


Admittedly, I did take part in the celebrations throughout Bentley University and it was certainly fun; you could feel a sense of unity and pride, even amongst a thousand college students who only cared to riot and avoid their finals. Since coming to the United States, these celebrations were the first time that I had seen American's so united (I wasn't in the U.S. in 2001). 

Despite the celebrations, everyone was influenced by the attacks in different ways. To some, friends, parents, or relatives "almost" took the planes that were hijacked, or almost went the the World Trade Center that day. To them, the sense of near death possibilities gives a new feeling about the lives they lead. 

To others, who had known someone who died or was severely injured due to the attacks, depression and a sense of emptiness followed. 

To the largest number of people, the attacks by Al Qaeda on that day led to the activation of thousands of reserve units who were deployed in Afghanistan. Thousands more volunteered after the attack. Despite the controversy, the Iraqi invasion was also a result of the attacks regardless of whether it was justified. Here, thousands of men and women fell by the shock of an IED or the penetration of a bullet. 

Yet this wasn't the collective experience of the attacks. To Muslim, Arab, and even non-Muslim and Non -Arabs that fell into the stereotypes, the attacks led to the beginning of both institutional and personal discrimination. Hatred fueled by the few spread fast through ignorance and many were alienated in their own communities. Here lies my own experience. I'm personally not directly affected by the deployment or death of thousands of soldiers, but I've been subject to deep ignorant discrimination in both my high school (the institution) and my class mates (the personal).  My family goes through extra screening when flying back and forth through airports simply because of who we are. 

Of course, all this is just the American experience of the attacks. I haven't talked about the Iraqi, or Afghani experience. Nor have I spoke of the Chinese Muslims further persecuted by China as a result of the attack, nor the Chechnyans which were further crushed by Russia. Simply considering the American side the direct victims of the attack, there is enough of a spectrum of experiences to tell an interesting story. 

Regardless of how people were effected, it was almost completely negative. Muslim/Arab lives became more difficult as hate spread, the body count of thousands of soldiers was detailed on every major news channel, and families were constantly struck with grief. 

With such horrendous effects, it only seems natural that the killing of Osama Bin Laden would lead to celebrations, so why the question? Because there is a difference between the morality of killing the person, and the morality of celebrating their death. 

I think very few in the world would think that Osama Bin Laden deserved to live. Had he been caught by the United States or any of its allies, he would have most likely been handed over to the U.S., which would have tried him in military tribunal. With the evidence so high over his head, a conviction would have been easy and, as happens with many tribunals, the death penalty would have been issued as an enemy of the state; rightfully so in my opinion.

Yet the question remains: Should we be celebrating his killing? 

Our collective moral compass tells us that celebrating the death of a anyone isn't right; in fact its very  wrong. Imagine the Westboro Baptist Church celebrating the death of U.S. soldiers. Or in a less extreme example, you and I celebrating the death of the man down the street; it just isn't right. 

But we all know that Bin Laden wasn't just "the man down the street" (although the people of Abottobad must have felt so). He was a mass murder who made the lives of millions of people nothing less than hell, but as a friend put  it: 
"I don't believe that we improve ourselves celebrating death. Soldiers don't cheer in graveyards."
He makes a valid point. We don't move forward, improve, or build bridges by celebrating death, even the death of the the source of fear for a generation. Feelings of vindication, justice, or comfort are different than open celebration of a killing. If anything, his death should be a reminder of all those lost with the hope of more peaceful times to come.

So when is celebration of death ever justified? if ever at all? I believe celebrating Bin Laden's death based on the belief of a reduced fear of being attacked is justified. There is much to be said when people celebrate the idea of greater safety, and to me, this is certainly moral.

This does give us a lot to think about. It isn't a black or white issue with an absolute answer. The former is oddly immoral despite (what seems as) a natural inclination to celebrate, the latter is more justified and reasonable.

I wish I could say that the celebrations were to praise a decrease in fear however it is apparent, at least to me, that the protests, especially at Bentley University, weren't. This is most apparent by the chants of "Fuck Osama" and yells of "We got him boys!"

The celebrations were the result of a catharsis of emotions that had been building up for nearly a decade. Yes, strong emotions, but perhaps now we see their nature: Immoral.

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McCartney

It was April of 1970 when Paul McCartney announced the breakup of the Beatles and thus started a solo career for the band's bass player.Paul's announcement included the news about his first solo album,McCartney which was released two days ahead of Let It Be.

The Beatles' acrimonious split can be traced way back to the time when Brian Epstein,the band's manager,died of drug overdose.The band had always said that the death of Brian started the beginning of the end for the band for they felt like they lost guidance-though Paul kept on encouraging them to keep cool and concentrate on writing more songs and recording more new albums.After Sgt Pepper,the band embarked on a film project called Magical Mystery Tour in which the film was considered to bomb on the US market though the soundtrack album was highly praised by rock critics.More albums followed for the band,and it seems everything took its toll at the recording of the Beatles' self titled album THE BEATLES aka the White Album.People who witnessed on how the band argued and walked off each others songs during the recording sessions felt that the band is slowly moving towards disintegration.

They did,however,managed to create the last masterpiece Abbey Road in which was recorded with the discipline that they had during the band's earlier days.Bad business problems came along and Paul probably wanted to keep the Beatles together but he couldn't.The last album released by the Beatles called Let It Be reflected the signs of the times when the band had so many problems they believed they couldn't handle any longer.

It  is said that it was Paul who was badly hit by the split.He even recounted the time when he couldn't get out of bed and just did all these drinking.His wife Linda,sad seeing his husband depressed,encouraged him to write and record a solo album.Paul kept saying that he couldn't thank Linda enough for encouraging him that he was a very good musician during the time he felt that he was useless.

Paul got up from his stupor and recorded McCartney,his first solo album.He played all the instruments and was helped by Linda on the vocal harmonies.McCartney topped the US charts which is very pleasing and therapeutic for Paul.He went on and released more solo albums and formed a band called Wings which is regarded as one of the greatest bands of the seventies and made him the most succesful Beatle on his own solo career.Perhaps he realized to himself,in everything you do and things get a little messy,theres always a bright future ahead.