Context: How’s your Apple?

January 29, 2011 by ·

Every once in a while I have the thought “how strange would our actions be to someone who didn’t understand cultural context”.  For example, if a person from outer space showed up to observe our daily activities” such as:

  • sitting in front of a glowing box while tapping on another box with random marks on its raised squares
  • picking up an item and talking into it, rather than talking to the other humans in the approximate area
  • climbing into a noisy, smelly box to travel with some difficulty along with many of other boxes to some unknown destination then, climbing back into the same box and reversing the trip over and over again.

This morning I had a similar experience when watching this youtube video forwarded to my by sister.  Enjoy.

YouTube Preview Image
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Favorite Android Apps: Foursquare

August 15, 2010 by ·

More and more I find myself, uploading pictures, sending messages and staying connected right from my phone.  Of course, I’m not alone in this trend.  One of the many places around the web talking about this is:  Mobile Market Watch.  For me, more so than many, mobile apps are both a wonderful thing and a bit of a pain due to the size of the screen but that won’t stop me.  Over the course of the next few weeks, I’ll be writing about some of my favorite Android based mobile apps.

FourSquare – it’s a geo based app which makes it possible to keep up with the comings and goings of friends and they with me.  It’s based on “checking in” at the places you go normally.

So, I go to my local Costco.  When I arrive I click on the Foursquare app.  It triangulates your location using cell phone towers and comes up with a list of places near me.  I choose Costco from the list and then click “check in”.  If Costco isn’t in the list then I can add it myself.  There, I’ve checked in. Whoo hoo!

Why would you want to do this?  It’s easy and kind of fun.  The more places you check in, the more points you accumulate.  Checking in multiple times during the day and checking in at a variety of places not only earns points and bonus points, you also unlock badges.  What do these points & badges do for you?  Bragging rights :-)   You should know that I’m proud of my 5 badges.

Where might this and other apps like this be going?  I expect as retailers are able to identify their most loyal customers, they’ll be reaching out to them to offer unique deals to keep those warm feelings flowing.  Perhaps other retailers will try to entice me with messages such as: The next time you visit Costco, come across the street and have a cup of coffee on us, knowing that I’m in the area.

Good, bad or indifferent?  I can imagine some thinking that this is an incredible invasion of privacy.  Maybe… Others may think what an opportunity this might be for thieves who would love to know when you’re not home.  Doubtful.  Unless you choose to share your updates with them.

So, tell me… what are your favorites?

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Dell Disappoints

May 25, 2010 by ·

If by chance you haven’t seen me around the virtual water cooler in the last couple of weeks, it’s because I’ve been in my office with the door closed beating my head against the wall.

I’ve been a loyal Dell customer for many years.  Two weeks ago began the saga that is making me question my loyalty.

Because I depend so heavily on my computer, I always purchase the extended warranty.  Next Day, On-site Service seems as though it would quickly resolve any issue that might come up, right?

As the late Paul Harvey would say “now you’ll know the rest of the story”.

1. Call Dell: Speak with a very nice tech support guy who walks me through a few diagnostic tests.  “Seems like it’s the motherboard.  Let me get someone to bring a new one” he says.  This seems great, he was able to figure out the issue and take action to resolve it.  So the next day (Next Day On-site Service)..  Nope!   Five days later after Dell sends a new (not refurb) part a local tech calls and schedules for the following day.

2. Dell tech person shows up and installs new part, has difficulty, contacts Dell and is assured that it’s just a matter of re-installing the operating system, Tech leaves me to complete the install with help of phone support.  New part doesn’t solve computer issue…  A new motherboard and video card are ordered by phone support.  Again, I wait the five days it takes for the parts and the local person to show up.   Second batch of parts don’t solve the problem.

3. Dell offers me a replacement new computer.  “It will be as good as or better than what I have” they tell me.  Of course I accept the offer, what are my options really at this point.  Over the course of the next twenty four hours, five or six Dell representatives call me to ensure me that they are “personally taking ownership” in this issue and will do everything they can….

4. I am assured I will be receiving a new computer. Others tell me “yes, it will be new” however, a tech will open the box to ensure it works properly so the box will actually say “refurbished”.  Since I was born yesterday I completely believe them, wouldn’t you?

5. Finally, the main reason for my flat forehead: I am told by each Dell rep that my “New” computer will arrive ten to fifteen to twenty to as much as thirty working days from the date the last tech was on-sight.

Which day is the “Next Day” for “on-site service?  tomorrow perhaps?  Come on Dell, show me you do care.

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