technology

Cons, Software as a Service, and Education

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It's certainly no secret here that I love software–as–a–service (SaaS).  You've seen my drooling love statements about Salesforce, my predictions of the CorpTechPocalypse.  It's kind of apparent I'm onboard with moving things into the clouds and services as its faster, cheaper, and let's be honest, kind of cool.

Lately I was working with the service known as Zendesk, a rather nice SaaS provider that provides, simply, a support system – tickets, knowledge bases, etc.  Zendesk lets you create instant support for your company with a few minutes of setup.  You can see why they've attracted some investment as of late.

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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

Screen Size People, Screen Size!

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What mobile devices and semi-mobile devices will succeed?  What ones will fail?  Which of the exotically-named consumer electronics clamoring for our dollars and time appeal to us – and to others?  What devices will succeed that we want our books, games, etc. on?

We look at these devices and want to know this.  We want to get our best value.  We want to make sure we get the media we create on the more profitable device.  But what will succeed, what will fail?

Well there are many reasons and factors, but I really think people are missing the kind of obvious factor in what makes success in SmartTabletPhoneBooKNet market.

The screen.

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