February 4th, 2010
Filed under: News — Ryan J. Allen @ 7:54 I take note of the headphones that people are wearing while they are listening to music while riding public transit. For the most part I do not judge people based on the headphones they are using, though I admit that I often confirm my judgements based on them. Occasionally I am surprised by the headphones that someone is wearing, causing me to flip my judgement of them. Perhaps I am more guilty of judging than I thought.
I would estimate that roughly 9/10 people use terrible headphones. It is a shame.
Currently you will catch me using AKG K 370 headphones on my commute.
February 3rd, 2010
Filed under: News — Ryan J. Allen @ 18:23 You know those women who feel and act as if the world is out to get them? Everything bad that could happen to them, happens to them. It’s just one thing after another. No day is a simple day to them. Do they realize how unattractive that is?
Sometimes men are tricked, or blinded by the physical attractiveness of some of this group. Attractive women can make us oblivious to that unattractive part of them. But I think this only works for a limited time–eventually the annoying personality trait trickles through into our consciousness and we take corrective action.
I’m sure it’s true of men, as well. In general, I guess people would prefer to surround themselves with nice, happy people–not with people who complain, and drag themselves forward. It is for this reason that I sometimes smile in order to give myself a friendlier appearance.
February 2nd, 2010
Filed under: News — Ryan J. Allen @ 19:07
February 1st, 2010
Filed under: News — Ryan J. Allen @ 20:53 I’ve lived in an apartment building for four years now (minus a year). This is more than enough time to come across some interesting characters, such as the lady who chirps while walking down the hall, or the loud guy who wants to be everyone’s friend. But it’s also a lot of time to get to know certain groups of people. One of my most hated groups of people are the elevator complainers.
For some people, one elevator is never enough. Even if they press the button and the elevator door opens right away these people will still complain to those around about the other elevator being on service. If you get stuck waiting for the elevator with these people around be sure to stand clear.
These people become an interesting mix of passive aggressive and aggressive. They are aggressive against the elevator itself, against the fact that sometimes people are moving in or out, and/or against the property owners. They will complain aloud to anyone else waiting while staring up at the floor indicator lights, sighing audibly for every floor where the elevator pauses. When the doors open and people deboard these people become passive-aggressive toward the passengers who have contributed to the elevator’s delay. “Finally,” you might hear someone exclaim; or perhaps they ask the question, “where did you go, Toronto?”
Frankly, it’s rude, inconsiderate, and juvenile.
And you know what else? These people are usually women.
Today I nearly suggested to a woman that she take the stairs, but I avoided fuelling the fire. The last thing I wanted to hear about was how she lived on the 16th floor, has a back injury, needs to get dinner on, has to leave 5 minutes earlier in the morning to account for potential elevator delays, etc. But I do really wish there was some way to have a little patience, and to appreciate the fact that we have this mechanical device to lift us skyward saving our own personal energy.
Maybe I just expect too little from our world.
January 31st, 2010
Filed under: News — Ryan J. Allen @ 15:58 Have you ever noticed a tendency for Windows application developers to assume that their software is the One True Reason that you have a computer? It puts an icon on your desktop, in your quick launch bar, at the top of the Start menu, and in a new program group in the Programs folder. Not only that but it also adds itself to system startup so that it runs everytime your computer boots. Oh, and it also takes over all applicable file type associations, and maybe even installs a web browser plug-in and/or Windows explorer shell extension.
I installed Parallels Desktop on my iMac today and it gave me a similar experience, especially after I installed my first virtual machine. Icon on the desktop, added an item to the dock, running in the menubar, automatically sharing folders. I want to slap the company and say “your software is not that important to me”. Pride is one of the seven deadly sins.
January 30th, 2010
Filed under: News — Ryan J. Allen @ 20:06 Beginning with the sound of a familiar breeze interrupted only by tickled ivory, Brooks opens the song That Ol’ Wind by introducing us to a caring, single mother; one half of a lost love going through what has now become her daily routine, unaware of how quickly her life will change. But this will be a welcome change–one that is ten years overdue.
As with many of Brooks’s songs, the music is arranged to highlight his voice. A subtle guitar backs his lyrics, as more instruments are introduced. A standard band arrangement leads Brooks into the chorus as he breaks the tone that we have heard in the song so far. In his voice you can hear the plea of a man desperate to hold on to the love he found on one Autumn night. The chorus brings us back to the wind theme, which is also emphasized in the soft sound of the symbols on the drums.
Today this man is performing, though to a smaller audience, and our mother is there. Their love instantly rekindled and they, again, share the night. But, inevitably, morning comes and our lovers are faced with a familiar decision.
Brooks brings us back to the chorus, brilliantly using the structure of the song to bring us back to the very same moment we heard about earlier. The same sense of anxiety that must have existed between the couple is shared by the listener with the use of this mechanism. The presentation of the chorus, lyrically, leads the listener nearly to the point of hopelessness. But this hope is briskly restored as Brooks reveals the man standing next to the woman, together watching his bus pull away. A piano interlude plays as the listener is given the opportunity to imagine the amour, the excitement that is shared between these two lovers.
The song’s epilogue tells us that this couple was meant to be. Each has reason, known and unknown, to be thankful for their reunion. But that is far from the front of their minds as the couple appreciates their properly placed love. A soft wind blows in the background, leading out the song with another piano interlude. The song plays out for over a minute, repeating the familiar music of the song, and eventually fading–not because their love or their life faded, but rather to suggest that this was simply the beginning of a long and happy life together.
January 29th, 2010
Filed under: News — Ryan J. Allen @ 6:33 Dear Customer:
In exchange for our product not lacerating your hands please accept a complimentary beverage of any size.
Starbucks Corp.
January 28th, 2010
Filed under: News — Ryan J. Allen @ 1:11 If you are reading this on the Internet then you must know what the iPad is. Sure, there’s lots that could be written on that topic but really I’d like to write about mobile data.
We all have mobile phones, and almost all of them these days have data service. A lot of us have laptops, but if we want to get our laptops online most of us will hunt for a WiFi access point or maybe tether using our mobile phone. A small number of people might have a data card for our laptop to give us always-on real-time access (AORTA) to the Internet from our laptops. But for a lot of people, the iPad might be the first “second” mobile data device they have.
The idea of people subscribing to data plans across multiple devices must have network access providers drooling. As we approach a 100% subscriber base on cellular networks the providers have to look at new ways to boost revenue. Selling multiple plans to single people is a no-brainer for them, but it hits consumers right in the wallet.
Until now the people who are paying for multiple data plans are the ones who have to. It is the people who need data access at all times for work; no network means lost productivity, which is expensive. But as additional devices come online that will use cellular network data, more-and-more people are going to want to take advantage of the advanced capabilities of their devices.
If it would end at the iPad we wouldn’t have to think about it, but it doesn’t. There’s laptops, as I mentioned, but that’s nothing new. These devices just scratch the surface.
Take cars for example. You can absolutely buy cars that can connect to the Internet today. And while most of these cars are expensive today, the technology will only become more affordable. As it becomes more affordable, it becomes more accessible. In fewer years than you have fingers almost any car you buy will have Internet connectivity.
How about digital cameras? With 3G and 4G cellular data connections it is now very practical to have your digital camera upload photos you take to flikr, as you take them. Or an HD video to YouTube. Remember a few years ago when blogs were all the rage? Now it’s twitter, because it’s quicker and easier. But if we can just automatically upload photos we won’t even need to tweet our latest thoughts.
As tablets, cars, iPods, digital cameras, and other devices become more connectable we will find that the pay-per-device subscription model simply isn’t sustainable. And while the cellular companies are likely drooling at the idea of scraping another $350 a year from every iPad 3G owner, I believe that a truly progressive company will find a better way. Almost every provider in the US has a “completely unlimited” phone and data plan today, recognizing that people will pay for all-in solution. But the next market leader will be the company that understands and encourages the push for more connectivity in our mobile devices.
There are challenges with this. If I paid for “personally connectivity”, where all of my devices can be connected for one rate, what will stop me saying all of the iPads that my friends own are mine? We might have to sacrifice some of our “unlimited” comfort for this model to work. But with more consumers being aware of the value of a byte, and the majority of Internet providers putting some kind of limits on data transfers, I don’t see why a payment for a certain amount of bandwidth couldn’t be applied across a finite number of devices.
The first wireless network company to offer 50 Gb of data, shared across up to 5 devices, for $50 a month will do well in future-proofing their business.
January 18th, 2010
Filed under: News — Ryan J. Allen @ 13:27 For the next 3.5 days, I’m working for Haiti. What I mean is that I have made a donation to Haiti relief efforts equal to my gross income for 3.5 days work (gross because the donation is tax deductible). Even better than that is that the Canadian Government, and my employer will each match the donation. I am pretty proud of Harman for that.
January 15th, 2010
Filed under: Germany, News — Ryan J. Allen @ 0:31 Whilst some might argue that there is larger, more devestating things to worry about at the moment, I have just read some news that hits close to home (to me): two trams have collided in downtown Karlsruhe. Reports indicate that 27 people have been injured, some severely, and one report suggests that up to two people have died. The pictures are unpleasant.
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