Thoughts on Dictation

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You've been reading my last week of posts. Does anything seem different? Does my writer's voice seem different? I'm not sure, so I'm asking, but the reason I ask these questions is because I've engaged in little experiment it's been very revealing.

I've been using Dragon Dictate from Nuance. Its dictation software (obviously), and I've been hearing very good things about it. Since I write a lot, of course I figured I should try some dictation software to see if it improves my writing, and my writing speed.

I am incredibly impressed.

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Cleantech, Greentech, and Geekery

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You may have noticed lately that the News of the Day links that Bonnie and I post sometimes contains sections on Cleantech and Greentech. Now I admit I include those instinctively, but this led me to ask myself an interesting question: are Cleantech and Greentech jobs and careers actually “geeky”? Of course you know I'm going to explore this issue.

So without further ado, let's take a look at the question: are Cleantech and Greentech jobs geeky?

Well, yes they are.

Okay, okay, I have to go into more detail. You're not going to let me get away with it otherwise. So now, let's explore why Cleantech and Greentech jobs are indeed for geeks.

  • They are about science. Science is geeky. Okay, some people may say economics is a science and it's not geeky (or not even a science to some). Me, I argue most sciences are partially or totally geeky. So I'm going to leave it there. We can argue about economics in another post.
  • Cleantech and Greentech involved interesting and unique applications of technology. When you have windows that took themselves, bacteria that make fuel, and all the other wonders of Cleantech and Greentech, these are in credibly geeky.
  • Cleantech and Greentech are about changing the world. Changing the world with cool technology and science is very, very geeky.
  • Cleantech and Greentech involve a lot of imagination. People don't just wake up one day and find ways to use holographic film to improve solar panels. Imagination is very geeky.
  • Finally, Cleantech and Greentech are futuristic. As much as some of us love our dystopian science fiction novels, we'd rather live in a clean bright Star Trek-esque future. Cleantech and Greentech help build that future.

So is Cleantech and Greentech geeky? The answer is simple: hell yes!

Now, assured of being geeks, you scientific types go forth and save us from environmental problems, peak oil, and everything else we've gotten ourselves into. And remember: you are geeks.

– Steven Savage

News Of The Day 2/25/2011

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It's a big day on games – and greentech!  Let's get to it!

Economics/Geekonomics:
Crude Oil is up on Middle Eastern unrest, so keep that in mind. I think long-term changes in the Mideast could help oil prices by having more stewardship of the resources – but it's gonna suck for now.

Comics:
I'm suspecting the new 'Superman' film is going the Oddball Casting Route that worked well for the 'Star Trek' film. First the rumor of Kevin Costner, now Viggo Mortenson as Zod?

Greentech:
A nice roundup of Greentech news. Nice geothermal plant in Orego, but Germany is culling solar subsidies (though I think they may be fine on their own).

Media:
Ticketfly is doing ticket sales by tying into Facebook – And it looks effective. They may just be onto something. Plus someone handed them $3 million dollars.

SaaS:
Salesforce stock rises, it tops revenue forecasts, dominates world. There doesn't appear to be any limit to what they're going to do right now – sure competitors on one side or another are out there, but they're still ripping it up. Also a good summary of their actions and success.

Social Media:
Facebook's subtle support for the Egyptian Revolutionaries. A thoughtful note as well – many companies are now based on FREEDOM of information, like Facebook, which has interesting economic implications . . .

Video Games:
TinyCo gets $18 million in investment. They make games for mobile, and apparently pretty good ones – haven't heard of them until now, but that's a big chunk of money for Tiny, and I think they might need your resume . . .

OK this is interesting: Anyone that orders the game Homefront gets a free OnLive system and access to another game. That's quite a marketing strategy – and it is historical to say the least (using the CONSOLE as the loss leader)? I'm still not sure about OnLive as it is – but this is innovative. Though I still stand by my theory they want to evolve into an overall media source.

Potential employer – or company to employ. Unity Studios and Exit Games partner to promote their products for MMO development. Think about it, MMOs are common enough people can specialize in just making them or supporting them. They also have some freely licensed tech. A good reminderof the "support" economy out there for Geekiness, and maybe a good idea to send your resumes to these guys.

News Corp is building it's own social game publisher.

Finally a beautiful story of applied geekery: A woman used Samus from Metroid as a motivator to loose weight and improve.  She celebrated with Cosplay.

– Steven Savage