Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

Category: Technology Page 10 of 14

Not A FanBoy, Just Pragmatic

By

On May 7, 2013

In Apple, General Cogitation, Linux, Microsoft, Technology

quillI’ve been trashing Microsoft quite a bit lately (some of it might be behavioral regression from my anti-Microsoft days). I think a lot of it has to do with how much I dislike Windows 8 and how easily people are blindly being lead to its use like sheep to the slaughter. I think Windows 8 is Microsoft’s worst design idea since adding that damn ribbon to the top of all their Office products.

There I go digressing again.

The truth is, I don’t hate everything Microsoft. In fact I love Windows 7. In my opinion its the best version of Windows. I often joke that it took Microsoft 7 versions to finally get it right. I also spend most of my career working in Microsoft technologies and I enjoy it. I’m pretty good with .NET, so clearly I’m not a hater, I just think that not everything Microsoft makes is gold. I like to remain pragmatic.

At home I not only run a machine with Windows 7 but I also have a Mac Mini and I’m currently building a Slackware (Linux) file server. So when it comes to operating systems, I’m not loyal to anyone. (Ask me about peripherals, however and Logitech will be the only one I recommend.) When I’m asked about phones or tablets, it isn’t a matter of which company is better because they all have their skeletons; I often tell people to try out the devices at the store and pick for yourself. If its an iPad, a Galaxy tablet or a Kindle Fire, it doesn’t matter to me, as long as it meets your needs.

The application of technology to your life shouldn’t be about what the latest gizmo or widget that Company X has created (and marketed with unnecessary gusto and fanfare). The decision to apply technology should be based on if it properly meets your need and if it has the potential for some longevity. The last thing you want to do is buy a device (like a Windows phone that will be obsolete in April 2014, per Microsoft), or implement a technological solution that you will have to replace in a year.

When I’m making a recommendation, to me, its more important to find the right solution that best meets the needs of the consumer or client. I won’t recommend something just because its the latest buzz by Microsoft or Google. It has to be the best option, above all other potential solutions because that’s what the customer ultimately wants.

/cheers

Alas, Poor Microsoft

By

On April 15, 2013

In General Cogitation, Microsoft, Technology

windows-crackI was reading this article over on ZDNet and, while its a pretty scathing article about Windows 8, the author does make a couple of valid points. It isn’t a secret that I am not the biggest fan of Windows 8. I do run a Windows box at home and I’m quite content with Windows 7. I also have a Mac and a Linux box so my allegiance belongs to nobody.

At any rate, here is the biggest point the author makes, which I believe is the reason Windows 8 is a total flop: “This isn’t a matter of judging a book by its cover; the user interface (UI) is everything for computer users. If the UI alienates users, you lose them. It’s as simple as that.” This is exactly what has happened to Microsoft with Windows 8. The “tiled” desktop is the cause of the out of control, downward spiral of the Windows 8 OS. I said that would be its downfall since the first time I tried it out. You can’t make a dramatic change to the UI and just expect the users to be OK with that. It’s as if Microsoft forgot what their target market was.

Perhaps Microsoft was trying to create some kind of cohesion between their tablets and the desktop, and I get that. However, you can’t take a tablet interface and slap it on a desktop and expect the experience to remain the same. These allegations that not enough touch-capable PCs exist is laughable. It shows that not only is Microsoft out of touch with its users, they are also out of touch with the industry. You have to coordinate a paradigm shift between hardware and software, you can’t brute force such a change.

I feel like Microsoft has become the proverbial unyielding, crotchety old man in the corner talking about how things use to be in the old days. Microsoft’s whole business strategy is archaic. If they want to survive in today’s constantly evolving technology they need to adopt a more collaborative strategy and focus less on brute force. They’re not the top dog anymore.

/cheers

Soapbox: Forking & Dongles

By

On March 22, 2013

In Fulmination, Programming, Soapbox, Technology

overworked-290x290The tech industry is full of phallic terminology. Every day I make a double entendre about something in the computer and/or programming industry. Granted I’m cognizant of my audience and anyone that might be able to hear what I’m saying. In the case of Adria Richards vs A-Predominately-Male-Industry, while I don’t dismiss her right to be offended, the way she handled it wasn’t prudent either; especially when the comments weren’t even directed toward her.

Be that as it may, the tech industry is dominated by males; and, as a male myself, most of us are neanderthals! I’m not saying that women are not welcome in the tech industry, in fact I encourage more women to get involved because its already too much of a “sausage-fest”. Yes, there is a time and a place for certain remarks and perhaps those boys at PyCon could have picked a better time for their sordid conversation but boys will be boys; and in an industry where stress is as necessary as caffeine, stress needs an outlet. Actually most of the women I know that are in this industry often partake and sometimes take it to a whole new level.

If women like Adria Richards cannot handle an industry full of “forking code”, USB dongles and “fscking” a computer then perhaps you’re not a good fit. I don’t care how much you tweet or blog about how “sexist” these terms are, you cannot change decades of standard vernacular. People, like me, will not stop using appropriate terminology just because it might sound inappropriate (in which case I ask who’s the real pervert).

There are lessons on both sides of the debate here. Be more aware of the volume of your conversation and courteous of those around you. At the same time, be careful what you post on the Internet because the world will see it and you just don’t know what you will stir up. Tibetan Philosophy states “Don’t start none, won’t be none” (source).

/end soapbox

Need Kindle Owners!

By

On March 20, 2013

In General Cogitation, Technology

quillCalling all Kindle owners! I don’t have a Kindle but I read about a new WordPress feature today called “Send to Kindle” that allegedly will save my posts to your Kindle for you to read later.

I’m really curious how well this works so if you own a Kindle and you are reading this, please click on the button and let me know if it works and how well you think it works.

Source: engadget article

Biggs On: Death of MSN Messenger

By

On February 21, 2013

In Biggs On, Microsoft, Technology

windows-crackMicrosoft, in their infinite wisdom, announced recently that by the end of tax season their legacy instant messenger system, MSN Messenger (now called Windows Live), will be shutdown permanently. Anyone with a Windows Live/MSN Messenger account will be automatically converted to a Skype account (and anyone with both, the accounts will be merged). The impending doom date is April 15th (originally set for early March).

In part, I’m not terribly surprised. Microsoft loves to force their products down everyone’s throats. I don’t have a Skype account, I’ve never been a big fan of it even before M$ bought it. I always found FaceTime to be a better product. The problem is, I don’t use the MSN client, I use a third party client that allows me to connect to multiple messenger clients. So far there are no indications that M$ will make Skype compatible with third party client apps. If this is the case then I will have to give up using that account. I have no need to use more than one client and instead of being forced to use their “crap-tastic” bastardization of an already inferior product, I’d rather just stop using it.

We are still a little more then six weeks away from the change so hopefully someone in their marketing department grows a brain and realizes they could be ostracizing a potentially large portion of their user base.

/cheers

Are Certifications Still Worth It?

By

On January 22, 2013

In General Cogitation, Programming

geek-300x300I have been working, post-college, as a programmer for going on 9 years now. I have been working for the same company as a programmer over 5 years. I have not earned a single Microsoft certification. Every year I try to set a goal to complete a certification and every year I never do it. I do not feel that not having a certification has had a negative affect on my career or my job. In fact I’m beginning to wonder if continuing to try to get certified is moot.

There has to come a point where years of experience provide a better measure then certifications. I cannot conjure up a scenario for a standard programming job where someone with just a certification and little to no experience will be a better selection then someone will several years of experience and no certifications. Perhaps if the job were entry level and the job wouldn’t really benefit someone with lots of experience, after all I remember what its like to be right out of college and trying to find a job with very little experience under my belt. Those entry level jobs are a godsend.

I have gotten as far as actually taking a certification exam but missed the cutoff by one question. I remember studying the material and thinking that it will be extremely unlikely that I will even use two-thirds of it. In fact, 5 years later I still have yet to even use half of the material covered and it was “fundamentals”. It’s kind of like reading material on how a combustion engine works when all you will really be doing is changing the tires.

Furthermore, it feels like its not worth completing a certification when it seems that every couple of years Microsoft changes what each certification means and what tests are required. Sometimes even the tests themselves are changed or retired. MCSE, MCSD, MCIT, MCPD, do all of these still exist? Are any of them still prudent? Speaking of Microsoft, they really aren’t the industry leader anymore so wouldn’t that also affect the value of their certifications? They are starting to become the old senile relative in the room who only thinks they are still relevant when really acknowledging their existence is more patronizing then recognition.

Perhaps certifications are good for those folks that don’t have a lot of experience and need to build up their credentials, but if you are a seasoned developer, I really don’t see the point in spending the money.

Cheers!

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