Why Doesn’t Microsoft Have A Cult Religion?
Apple has one. So does Java, Oracle, IBM and Google. Lord knows anyone who uses Linux or free and open source software is dedicated to spreading the gospel of St. Linus Torvalds and St. Richard Stallman but does anyone really worship the Gods of Redmond?
I was chatting with some random guy I met on the plane to Chicago this morning from Sun Micro who commented that Microsoft’s problem these days is that it doesn’t have a passionate user/developer base.
The theory is that while Microsoft certainly owns the majority of user systems, no one seems to really be evangelical about its software: Windows Vista, Office, Visual Studio, SharePoint, SQL Server and certainly not IE.
The same thing goes for Microsoft’s hardware. Where are the legions of Zune users? Xbox may be the closest thing Microsoft has to a fanatical fan base but I’m pretty sure the lines were just as long for the PS3 and the Wii.
Think about it. When was the last time an editor was fired because of a scathing article entitled, “10 Things We Hate About Microsoft?”
When was the last time a group of developers stood up at a VS Live show and shouted “Yea, man! Orcas Rocks! Language Integrated Query is da’ Bomb! New and improved ADO.Net? Oh, no you didn’t!” It just doesn’t happen.
Conversely, how many e-mails have you received (or written) because someone bashed your favorite operating system or software application? Chances are that you were defending something that wasn’t made or acquired by Microsoft.
So my question is this:
Does the largest software vendor in the world have people who are actually excited by its products and drive themselves into a frenzy when the latest version comes out?
TSA computer hard drive missing
Just when you think that our security and privacy is under control and Homeland Security is doing their job, out comes the news that the Transportation Security Administration has lost a computer hard drive containing Social Security numbers, bank data and payroll information for about 100,000 employee records.
According to the report, the hard drive was missing from a controlled area at TSA headquarters.
Did you catch that? A controlled area. WTF is up with that? Sounds like an inside job to me.
At least the TSA is promising employees to pay for one year of credit monitoring services.
If you ever worked for the Homeland Security agency from January 2002 until August 2005, it’s time to call your attorney 
Clear Registered Traveler Program
Being a consultant I do a lot of traveling for work and sometimes it requires me to take an airplane which I really enjoy.
However I dread the waiting at airport security checks which can take up to 2 hours depending on which airport and time of day my flight is scheduled.
You might be asking yourself “what are some things that geeks would like in a traveling experience to make it more enjoyable?”
I’ve asked myself this question almost every time I get ready for a flight.
Here are my top 2 answers:
- Being able to get through airport security faster and with less hassle.
- Enjoy a more consistent and stress-free airport experience.
Well thanks to modern technology and the folks at Fly Clear, there’s now a new solution to the long waits in these lines in the form of a handy membership card loaded with all kinds of personal information.
Travelers who join the Clear Registered Traveler program are pre-screened for security and provided with a biometric card which will allow them to pass through security faster, with more predictability and less hassle.
According to the Fly Clear, website Clear members enjoy the following benefits:
- Fast passage through airport security.
- Access to a designated Clear security lane staffed by professional, courteous Clear attendants.
- Extraordinary customer service.
- Fewer missed flights.
- A stress-free, predictable airport experience.
So what’s the catch? Yes, there is always a catch but if you call in the next 5 minutes…
To join this little club, you need to submit to a “Security Threat Assessment” which includes an extensive background check through the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), including registering biometric information such as iris scans and multiple finger prints… did someone say big brother?
Evil politicians, would you like to track me worldwide so I can never escape your malevolent grasp? Would you like to know if I wear boxers or briefs? Here you go! Not.
That’s been the universal fear for quite some years now and there’s a good reason… but “why?” you might be asking yourself?
Even though in theory this is a great idea, I don’t like handing over such personal information, especially with all the breaches of security going on, including but not limited to laptop theft, identity theft and violations of privacy just to name a few.
Some people would say that I’m just being over protective and that I have too many conspiracy theories running around my head and that the government isn’t legally permitted to track you (I know, I know. I don’t believe that stops them either).
I’m not the droid you’re looking for… move along…
For now this “Clear” service is only available in the following airports:
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky (CVG)
- Indianapolis (IND)
- New York JFK Terminal 7 (JFK)
- Orlando (MCO)
- San Jose (SJC)
I’m not saying that I wouldn’t ever use this system because again, in theory it’s a good idea but until they iron out the kinks and get a handle on protecting my personal information, I’m not going to just hand it over.
Of course I’d love to hear your thoughts, comments and/or suggestions on this, so feel free to comment away.
Last, I almost forgot about the fee structure for this magical service! Yes, no free lunches from the TSA.
*insert big deep announcer voice
Clear is available for $99.95 USD per year (includes a $28.00 TSA vetting fee). Lock in these prices by purchasing a two-year membership for $199.90 or a three-year membership for $299.85. Your Clear card will work at any US airport with a registered traveler program at no additional cost.
Do you like to drink? It’s Happy Hour!
I do a lot of traveling with my consulting work. Many of my readers do a fair amount of traveling as well.
After talking with a few friends and co-workers, I’ve found that we all have the same issue from time to time while out on our travel adventures… finding a good watering hole to relax and get some drinks.
I was doing some research this evening and I came across MappyHour.
Yep, it’s time to find a beverage - anywhere in the world:
So what is MappyHour exactly? It’s a nifty web application using the Google Map API and some other special sauce to help you find a beverage anywhere in the World, or so it appears.
How it works is you click on a city, or anywhere on the map, then it will zoom in and display nearby bars and their happy hour specials. So cool!
They even allow user submissions and bar ratings. The site is pretty new and they’re adding new features daily, so I’m sure as time goes on, the site will get even better.
It doesn’t work on handheld devices as of yet but I heard that it’s being worked on. Having a mobile version of this would be huge for people traveling or for locals.
I’ll be keeping my eye on this project for sure.
Have Scrabble Will Travel
I really like board games and thanks to an open ended Game Night with a couple of good friends, my interest for board games is really coming back.
What board games do I like? Well to name just a few Clue and Monopoly come to mind. Does chess count as a board game? If so, I really like chess too but one of my favorite board games is Scrabble.
Why I bring up Scrabble is because earlier today I went to my local Target store and while I was looking around the board game section I came across a travel sized Scrabble game. It’s called Travel Scrabble - Folio Edition, so of course since I do a lot of traveling for work and personal life this was a must have for my collection.
It was less then $20.00 and will bring many hours of gaming enjoyment to me around the house and while out on adventures with my laptop.
As you can see from the picture above, I’ve already started to play with it. I’m going on a road trip soon, so I’ll be bringing this for sure.
Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy playing games and watching movies on my laptop while traveling but a good game of Scrabble is always fun and with the way this travel version is set up, it’s perfect.
The pieces snap into place, so even in a moving Plane, Train or Automobile (such a great movie), the game won’t get messed up.
Back Home
Well as of 2:30pm this afternoon, I’m back home… yay! Time for some rest and Del Taco!