Archive for the 'technology' Category
Microsoft Fires CIO… does it matter why?
11 8th, 2007I’ve been readng with some interest all the rumors coming out about Stuart Scott, Microsoft’s former CIO. For those of you that have been living in the dark, Scott was recently released by Microsoft only two years after hiring him in 2005. What’s unique about this situation is that Microsoft has publicly said:
“We can confirm that Stuart Scott was terminated after an investigation for violation of company policies, and have no further information to share.”
Of course, the rumor mill is churning about the myriad of different reasons that could have triggered this and the one with the most sticking power seems to be that Scott was having an affair with one of his subordinates, and perhaps that woman received positive reviews and/or a promotion because of her relationship with Scott. Definitely possible, although it seems somewhat unlikely to me that it would have been handled like this and not as a structured settlement with Scott’s resignation. Leads me to wonder if it’s not an issue business ethics, such as accepting bribes, favors, or something outside the norm.
What seems weird to me is how many people have come out suggesting that “we” the public deserve to know the whole story, and I’m not sure that I agree with that. What’s happened, especially if it’s of a personal nature, is between Microsoft and Scott - what gives “us” the right to know anything more than he’s left Microsoft under unfavorable circumstances? Even that means that his business life is fractured and the chance of him getting another opportunity like this is likely gone. With a wife and seven kids - whose right is it to know anything more? My thought - give the man some space, save him whatever small amount of dignity he has left.
~geek
TiVo: The Good, the Bad and The Logo
11 8th, 2007I have to admit it - I love the TiVo logo. It only somewhat looks like a television to me, but like Kleenex it’s become an integral part of my life. Unfortunately, I don’t always like what TiVo, the company, does, and this post is going to talk a little about how they’re planning to sell consumer viewing habits and how it might ultimately affect you and your family. Of course, not everything is a bad, and the “promotional pricing” that they’re pitching seems to be a good deal for everyone.
Google, Android and Open Source Telephones
11 6th, 2007Not surprisingly, I have an opinion about Google’s new Android phone operating system and their Open Handset Alliance, and as much as I don’t want to admit it I believe this is great for the consumer and even better for the phone manufacturers. Why? Because, finally the phone manufacturers can spend less time working on creating an OS for their phone and put those investment dollars into making their phones better telephones. Add in to that some additional functionality on even the most generic of phones and you potentially end up with an exploding smart-phone revolution that significantly improves the end-user experience.
Platinum Equity to Acquire Covad Communications
10 29th, 2007In a not too unexpected announcement, Covad Communications has signed a definitive agreement to be acquired by Platinum Equity in an all-cash transaction valued at roughly $1.02/share.
I truly believe that Apple computer has won the “how cool can we package our products” contest, but of all the other companies that I’ve seen, it would appear that Bang & Olufsen (B&O) is running a very close second. Their stereos, televisions, telephones and headsets are the coolest of cool and it’s usually not long after they release a new product that you’ll find it in a James Bond movie or Nip Tuck episode. What you can’t see in those shows is how well those products work or how they’re packaged, which is what I’m hoping to bring to you here.
You would think, for nearly $400, that a Monster Cable Home Theater and Lighting Controller (AVL 300 Home Theater and Lighting Controller) would do everything that you could want and more. Unfortunately, in my case the more is raising my blood pressure and increasing my frustration.
In all fairness, I have yet to call Monster technical support, and I will do that before I toss this technical powerhouse, but my initial impression is poor. First, it would seem that the Monster product uses the Logitech software and the automated internet setup is little more than an interface to select how your house is laid out (which rooms you want to control) and the exact model numbers of products that you have and want to control. In Monster’s case this can be a television, DVD player, or even a Monster controlled light switch - or pretty much anything else that takes a remote control. Once you’ve selected your rooms and equipment you’re supposed to plug in the remote via USB and it downloads your configuration. My experience wasn’t so fluid.