Some of this this is a little surprising given how male focused technology is typically thought of being. As I’ve worked with the ICS Web 2.0 team, lately I’ve come to question my perception of women and technology, in particular “Mom.” Quite often we think that something has to be so easy a “Mom” can use it. However, “Mom” is not what she used to be. Moms are college educated, they may still work or used to work in offices with PC’s and what not, and Moms are at home using technology and integrating technology into their lifestyle. It totally makes sense that Moms with young children would have to time shift in order to watch the programming they want because tots dominate the TV during their waking hours. It totally makes sense that women participate more in social networking activities — it’s just another way to, or, extentions of existing ways to maintain connections that have always been present. Duh! When you think about it. Yet, I would say the perception that women are not as tech savvy as men persists. I challenge myself and others to think differently and to really consider these “Duh!” situations in which technology seamlessly fits into women’s lifestyles, rather than coming at if from the perspective of “dumbing down” or “pinking” technology for women.
Coming in 2009 in Spectacular 3D
It looks like 2009 will be the year the movie studios start foisting 3-D movies on us in a effort win more profits off of higher tickets prices and to combat piracy. Piracy is not mentioned in this article, but I’m sure it’s a big underlying reason since the same experience cannot be delivered on the small screen. I imagine syched dual images at 144-fps makes for a HUGE file(s) that will require new software, a monster computer to crunch through the file/s, and a higher refresh rate montitor (highest I’ve heard of is 120-Hz) making pirating a 3-D movie pointless. As for the 3-D ready TV’s, my understanding is that 3-D is all generated in hardware via a firmware upgrade in the TV. The source is a 2-D feed that was never shot specifically in 3-D. I don’t know how that compares to something that was shot in to 3-D, but I’ve experienced TI’s 3D TV and it’s taxing on the eyes and the brain. However, the movie studios forget that people are happy watching pirated movies shot by a camera on a cell phone, so I imagine it will not deter piracy. I agree, though, that the premium that can be charged for a viewing a 3D film will keep the studios and theatres rolling in the dough until home technology catches up. As for watching a 3-D movie with current technology — I can’t imagine sitting through 3-hours of “Titanic” due to the quality of the story and eye strain. The same goes for “ET” which I could not even get through when I was little. (Like the “Lion King”, “ET” causes me to go unconcious about 15-mins into the movie and then I come to in the last 10-mins. Imagine the frustration of my parents who took me to see “ET” at least 3 times in an attempt to be good parents, only have me fall asleep every time. Imagine my high school friends who dragged me to the “Lion King” at least 3 times, only find me knocked out in the middle of the movie. They are all convinced that I have a very small dark heart.) I don’t think 3-D would help those movies for me …
What does this all mean? Servers and storage BABY!
Here’s a link to the article.
More on Digital Billboards
Lamar is pursuing a network of digital billboards too.
Welcome to the OuternetA little known billboard advertising giant plots its digital future.
Intel's Netbook
Quite honestly, I’m not sure if I get this cheap, wimpy notebook push.
1. A computer needs some oomph to have a good Internet experience.
2. I question whether a PC is a priority in a “developing” nation. It sounds altruistic and utopian, but what’s the practicality of it?
3. Developing nations and Asia are bypassing PCs for mobiles because a mobile infrastructure is easier and cheaper to deploy and because mobiles fit better in their lifestyles.
4. Why would I want a crappy little computer as a secondary when I can get a nice mobile for about the same price?
Like one of the commentors to this article, I also paused a bit when they said this computer will use SSD harddrive — at $300 ??? Maybe a few years on down the road.
Eitherway, I see that these cheap laptops are a very “US” way of thinking. I really don’t get it. Besides, I and any school or developing nation can build a decent barebones computer for ~$300.
Somebody please explain this to me …
More Rambling 