I know that Buzz is more like twitter, and Google+ is more like facebook – but if they retain their difference, then what is their differentiator from twitter and facebook?

If the number of characters and quick uploading through mobile was an issue, now it is no longer so – both twitter and facebook are available on mobile devices. So does it not make sense to merge the two services?

One either likes Apple products, or hate them – or just simply ignore them.  But no one will deny the fact that each one of the products have been innovative – true thought leadership. The products did not address a market demand, but created one – the mac, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad.

Whatever your reason for liking or disliking the product, you will always see a marketing strategy behind the innovative line of products.

I have never been a fan of Apple products ever since my first encounter with the Mac in 1988. Never liked the iPod because I used to – and still – hate the idea of an earphone churning out music in my ears. I was excited when iPhone was released. But when I had the opportunity to play around with it in lat 2007, I was disappointed. I always felt that Apple products, with their limited functionality, address only a niche market segment that has no need / desire to experiment with the new, only use the product as is, the way it is churned out. The new iPhone is, of course, much better – but the impression stuck on. When iPad was released, I was – as always - skeptical.  But when I had the opportunity to play around with it, I was impressed. First time ever, I was impressed with an Apple product !  I tried out the Samsung 7″ galaxy tab – I was disappointed ! I tried out the Samsung 10″ tab – really an excellent piece. But my respect for the iPad stays on. Impressive piece. The concept, the experience. Amazing.

Steve had converted yet one more person – to be his fan.

RIP

http://www.snotr.com/video/3131

(Does this qualify as the post of the month? )

So, now that it is almost new year again, should I make a new year resolution – to blog at least once  a month?

Will I stick to it?

 :-)

“the selfishness dominates, and yet it claims that without its greed to innovate, there would be no technological advancements. is there not an element of truth in this? The tension of opposites.”

Interesting – how many  innovations the world has seen so far have been out of greed?

Here is the source blog posting:

http://opensource.com/law/09/12/ip-another-bubble-about-burst-view-another-civilization

First, I chose to attend  Hariprasad Chaurasia’s recital. It was really great – the maestro’s music was divine, as always.

But…

There was this nagging whooshing sound of air (or should I say wind) along with the sound of the flute. I could not figure out if it was because of the amplifier system, or because the microphones were placed too close to the  mouth of the maestro or just that – that is how the flute sounds  !!

I get the feeling that the microphone should have been placed somewhere along the mid part of the flute or near the end of the flute that is away from the mouth. Then the tonal quality of the sound would have been better. Probably because the microphone was too close to the mouth, it was capturing the sound of the air/wind from the mouth of the maestro directly rather than the sound from the flute – the sound that we are not supposed to hear, and normally we don’t.

I enjoy music, but do not understand music. Maybe this proves that I do not understand.

But I did really enjoy his  recital.

Next I chose Sivamani. His percussion the next day was fantastic – as expected.  Though personally I would have liked a little more of natural music and less of electronics/ synthesized stuff, still it was enjoyable. It was odd listening to uncharacteristic sound from a mineral water bottle and a briefcase !

Listening to live music is really great.

Here is the profile of the author of the article in the link at the end:

“During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried has changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley. These days, most of her attention is focused on Microsoft. “

Note – “changed genders once” – how many times in a lifetime does one change genders ??

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10423985-56.html

http://www.columbia.edu/~ip71/fun/danbrown.html

Sets  me thinking – is this not true for most authors / writers? I don’t  think this predictability is specific to Dan Brown.

Just realized that I have not shared this with the world – so here it is, world.

The interesting part of the solar eclipse is the news item excerpts from the Hindu:

“The longest annular solar eclipse of the millennium took some in Africa by surprise Friday morning as it marched across the continent.”

“The eclipse hit Chad and the Central African Republic, then reached the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Kenya, and Somalia.”

“In Uganda, many woke up on Friday to unusually dull weather, unaware they were witnessing an eclipse.”

““What is happening this morning? Is it going to rain? I do not understand this whole thing,” a young motorcyclist, Tony Kasibante, said as he peered up at the sky in Kampala. Ugandans called radio stations from different parts of the country, the majority asking panelists at the radio talk shows to explain what was happening. One woman in the streets of Kampala said: “The moon is fighting the sun. I saw this many years ago and it is happening now.” Journalist Dennis Ojwee, speaking from the town of Gulu, 360 kilometers north Kampala, said: “People are getting out of their houses to watch this change in the morning light. Children are particularly curious and many are screaming.” By 9:15 am, only a tiny part of the sun was still eclipsed by the moon.”

Wow! Is Africa still so backward? Can’t believe it.