by Ron Miller

Suddenly Everything is a Development Platform

I've got good news and bad news for developers. The good news is you're going to be in greater demand than ever. The bad news is you're going to need learn to develop apps for everything from refrigerators to automobiles.

Read my full commentary on the Ness Software Engineering Services blog.

Photo Credit: Can Stock Photo

SnapKeys: Innovative or Annoying?

SnapKeys has developed a new type of keyboard based on only the most frequently used letters. You have to watch the video to truly understand how it works. My first reaction upon watching this was that this is nuts. Why would I want to train myself in completely new way of typing, but if you think about it, it makes sense.

The QWERTY keyboard was developed to prevent touch typists from going too fast and jamming the keys on manual typewriters. Today on touch keyboards, if you try to type in this fashion, it's awkward (although over time you can teach yourself to leave your hands off the keys except when typing). Perhaps we really do need a new way to type on touch devices.

You have to give these developers points for trying something new. For now, this only available for Android users. Have a look at the video to see how this works.

Let's Stop Paying Tech CEOs Big Bucks to Fail

US Tech CEOs get paid boatloads of cash when they fail and even when they leave amid scandal. It's not right and it's a practice that needs to stop. What other job gets paid a substantial bonus after being fired?

Read my full commentary on Internet Evolution.

Why Ex-Yahoo Boss Thompson Might Have Last Laugh

Would you rather be running a small startup or Yahoo!? I think Scott Thompson might find getting fired was the best thing that ever happened to him, while Marissa Mayer may soon be wondering what she was thinking when she accepted the job.

Read my full commentary on Internet Evolution.

My CeBIT 2012 Posts Round-up

Image via Wikipedia

I spend last week at CeBIT and as last year, I got a lot of writing done. Here's a list of the posts that came out of my trip to CeBIT this year.

The most interesting content start-ups at CeBIT - FierceContentManagement.

Drupal, Joomla and WordPress face challenges in Germany - FierceContentManagement.

Getting Beyond the Big Data Hype Cycle - Ness Software Engineering Services blog.

Microsoft Misses Another Easy Cloud-Mobile Connection - TechTarget View from Above blog.

Developers Should Love Boot to Gecko Phone - TechTarget View from Above blog.

Device Could Let You Eye Ball Your Laptop - Internet Evolution.

Chip-equipped Ball Heralds New Money Ball Era - Internet Evolution.

New Start-up Lets You Build Cloud Quickly - Real User Monitoring blog.

Data Center in a Box Could Save Your Butt in a Disaster - Real User Monitoring blog.

Eric Schmidt Peers Across the Digital Divide - Internet Evolution.

Cell Phone Encryption Could Be Boon for IT - TechTarget View from Above.

Some Videos from CeBIT:

Intel Shows Off Ultrabooks (video) - by Ron Miller.

CeBIT 2012 Highlights Video - by Ron Miller.

Two more posts that mention CeBIT:

Nokia Lumia 710 is Impressive, but is that Enough? TechTarget View from Above blog.

Some Thoughts While Waiting for iPad 3 - Real User Monitoring blog.

Clay Shirky: Why SOPA is a bad idea

Shirky is so clear and his ideas are so well formed. He's a joy to listen to. Even if you think you've heard enough of the SOPA debate, this is well worth listening to as it defines the scope of the debate as well as I've ever heard or read:

 

To The MPAA, All Critics Are Pro-Piracy

Image via Wikipedia

Yesterday Ars Technica reported that the MPAA accused it of being pro piracy for criticizing the movie studio's mouthpiece. In the MPAA's world view, if you are against MPAA policy, you are by extension, pro piracy. I'm here to say as loudly and clearly as I can, that I'm against MPAA policy too. Come and get me. It would be a badge of honor to be included among its critics.

Read my full commentary on Internet Evolution.

 

 

Reddit will Go Dark to Protest SOPA. Right on!

Image by cambodia4kidsorg via Flickr

Reddit has announced it will shut down its web site for 12 hours to protest the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA). They will post links to resources to help citizens get the word out to elected officials and a live stream from a House committee hearing on the matter. Power to the people, baby.

Read my full commentary on Internet Evolution.

The Top Tech Stories of 2011 for Developers and IT Pros

The news came at us fast and furiously this year and it left us shaking our collective head--whether it was the HP TouchPad, Google buying Motorla Mobility or Adobe throwing in the towel on Flash. I review some of the top stories of the year.

Read my full list and commentary on the Ness SPL Blog.

Recent IPOs Show Need for Earlier Oversight

Image by Mathew Knott via Flickr

With a grey market for pre-IPO stock already thriving outside the purview of government regulators, proposed legislation to loosen pre-iPO restrictions even more is worrisome, especially when some companies are prone to exaggerate to inflate their value without fear of consequences.

Read my full commentary on Internet Evolution.