NixMashup for November 12, 2014

Prolific IT Failures

Interesting piece on the characteristics of IT departments and companies that lead to failure. Not a lot here but a couple of anecdotes that shine a light on how different building software is from, say, building houses. This gets back to recent links on awful software estimates. Here is an example. Nygard tells us a story of a system in an unnamed company that needed to be updated. The company was advised that it would take six developers six months to complete the project at a cost of one million dollars. Two employees decided to have a go at it as a hobby weekend project. The had it up and running by the end of the following week.

#business, #development, #career

Audio Snapshot Wristbands

Something familiar yet completely different, wearable audio recorders that are always on. Step One: Wear your Kapture and keep it charged. Step Two: Hear something you want an audio snapshot of. Step Three: Tap the Kapture device to activate it. Step Four: The Kapture saves the previous 60 seconds of audio directly to your smartphone. Step Five: Listen to or edit the file on your smartphone, or upload to a more robust device for archiving.

#futuretech, #wearables

Thneeds

Any technology piece using Dr. Suess terminology is worth a read. We’ll jump straight to the final paragraph. Our challenge: To shape this technology from an “Ain’t It Cool” Want to a sustainable Thneed (and protect those Truffula trees) until The Internet of Things settles into its rightful role as a Need in our journey of enhanced human evolution.

#iot, #trends

Come and Get It! NixMashup Links for Android

What better place to hawk my new NixMashup Links Application for Android than to NixMashup readers! Here’s my NixMashup announcement with a link to the app in the Google Play Store.

#android, #nixmashuplinks

IoT And Added Value

I like the title of this Java DZone piece, “In IoT, There’s a Line, and Whirlpool is Crossing It.” It describes Whirlpool’s attempt to add cool Internet of Things capability to a high-end clothes washer and dryer–and failing. About the only thing the IoT approach adds to the process (and I wouldn’t even say “add”) is the ability to start the washer and dryer with an app. As a geek I certainly appreciate Whirlpool’s efforts, but until the clothes don’t have to be manually handled in the process I’ll remain happy using the dials on the machines.

#iot

When a Lack of Linux Passion Can Be a Good Thing

A blogger writes a piece on the lack of passion in the Linux Community, then a week later posts a bunch of comments from the Linux Community on their lack of passion. It was brilliant, really, as it illuminated much about the mature state of Linux. And after reading the comments you may agree that a lack of youthful passion about an OS can be a good thing.

#linux

Chipotlification and Mobile

The full title of this Atlantic piece is The Chipotlification of American Fast Food, but I just like to say “Chipotlification.” Addresses how apps and menu customization are becoming more pervasive in the restaurant industry. Includes screenshots of Taco Bell’s new mobile order-ahead app.

#mobile, #trends

The Quantified Self

This 1:48 minute YouTube video does a good job describing how mobile and wearable technology will add data about us that will be impacting our day and our world quite soon.

#youtube, #wearables, #trends, #futuretech

Amazon Echo As The Future

A good ComputerWorld article from Mike Elgan describing how Amazon’s new Echo is the platform which represents the future of human-computer interaction in the home. The Echo is a first step, certainly, but thinking about what its potential could be when integrated with other systems is quite awesome.

#trends, #iot

Sorkinisms

If you’re a huge Aaron Sorkin fan (like me) you’ll love this expertly compiled video of distinctive Aaron Sorkin literary stylings.

#youtube, #fun