I understand politics about 10%, which is very sad. But with a system so confusing for something as simple as electing then next president can you blame me?
If you want to try to understand how the electoral college votes for the next president please read this.
Just remember, your vote is a “suggestion” for the elector. 
If you do live in a swing state please vote! No guarantees - but maybe your suggestions will have an impact.
Aside from customer and partner meetings, I have to agree the majority of meetings are a waste of time……..quoting 37signals
Do you really need a meeting? Meetings usually arise when a concept isn’t clear enough. Instead of resorting to a meeting, try to simplify the concept so you can discuss it quickly via email or im or Campfire. The goal is to avoid meetings. Every minute you avoid spending in a meeting is a minute you can get real work done instead.
There’s nothing more toxic to productivity than a meeting. Here’s a few reasons why:
For those times when you absolutely must have a meeting (this should be a rare event), stick to these simple rules:
Barcamp Chicago came together nicely this weekend. Thanks to all of the sponsors for making the event possible. Below are some entertaining videos I shot on qik. The topic was twitter and it gets more entertaining the more you watch - thx to Harper Reed and Ron May.
The reason for two videos is because my phone crashed mid-stream…not sure the exact reason but I had to do a hard reset to fix it….much fun 
I have no sense of direction. It’s probably an undiagnosed disorder (i.e. ADD, ADHD etc…) Anyway, Google & Nokia MAPS made life easier, then came my TomTom along with GPS on my phone, life got even easier. Now, I’m also using Google Transit for all my public transportation needs. It’s been around awhile but now I’m actually using it and it’s great, especially getting around chicago 
Imagine never getting on an airplane again to go to a conference, trade show, or meeting. That’s what Nick Wilson is doing at Clever Zebra.
Not just stating the obvious, but what is happening with the U.S. Economy? It’s a continuing downward spiral. I hate to be negative but it is true. So many industries are affected… Financial, Real-Estate, Energy, Transportation..and it’s not getting better anytime soon. The average American is now seriously concerned about these issues and the long term impact.
Yesterday marked the third largest U.S. bank failure in history, IndyMac, and there is speculation of more to come. Indymac holds my mortgage, better my debt than my assets!
If you live in U.S. and have more than $100K with one bank be careful - FDIC only insures up to $100k per bank
The really bad news for me. I’m currently selling a house in the mess. I should say “trying” to sell.
Sphere ItHere’s another good one. Not by me.
Here is “my” experience today:
1. I waited 3 hours in line this morning (and as we know I am not THAT guy). I kinda of expected this so not so bad. Irritating by afterall I made the decision to get it day 1.
2. The $399 phone became $540 because I had added more service (ie:gaveAT&T more money) in the last 12 months so I wasn’t eligible for the”upgrade”. That is not disclosed in any other marketing material, in fact their claim is “twice as fast, half the price”.
3. They disconnected my existing phone and e-mail service and I needed to gohome and activate the i-Phone through i-Tunes. Annoying two-step process to make people go through.
4. The i-Tune servers have crashed due to the number of i-Phones being activated. So while they had the foresight to erect barricades outside the stores and hire a team of security people to deal with the demand today, they did not do anything to enhance the capacity of the servers required for
activation. After all, they got the sale, they can report to thepress how many phones they sold on the first day. Sadly, none of them are operable.
5. I have been back to the AT&T store twice and just now got back from the Apple Store where there are about 2,000 people lined up. They can’t help either.
So, my parents arrive at 3pm today and the plan is for them to call me and tellme where they are, and I won’t have a phone. My fault for risking the newphone on such a critical day I guess, but wow, this is Apple. Who would have expected such major operational issues. Especially since the exact
same thing occurred on Day 1 when the original version launched. First time is a mistake. Second time is incompetence.
People love talking about Microsoft vs. Google. How is Microsoft going to stop Google? Google is going to push Microsoft out of the enterprise…etc.
Why is no one talking about the equally important battle of Nokia vs. Google?
These two giants are battling a silent war that is flying under the radar, and it’s amazing. They both want their software in front of the 3 billion mobile users around the world, more so than they want PC Internet users (only 1 billion globally).
Nokia clearly dominants the mobile space today (like +40% market share), and is facing ongoing pressure from both Google and Apple, but are marching forward without hesitation.
Here’s the short version of the latest between these two:
The point is, you don’t see these companies touting the latest processors, displays, speakers, or keyboards. It’s all about software, not the hardware. Hardware still plays a factor, but let’s face it that Apple makes everyone look silly. So, I believe the war will be won with the best software and services, not hardware. I also think Nokia is in this game for the long haul - the “Microsoft” of the mobile space. Wondering if Yahoo/Microsoft has gotten in the way of talking about this one
update: Nokia today signs Warner Music Deal
Sphere ItSometimes during our day to day craziness we are hit with something that makes us just stop, and reminds us about how much we all influence each other. Teachers, Friends, Family, Neighbors, Co-workers, even people we’ve never met but read or follow on TV, all help shape who we are and how we live.
I just had one of these “experiences.” It made me realize how much I, unknowingly, had positively influenced someone else, and vice versa.
Sometimes it’s not obvious that what we do and say, and how we treat people makes lasting impressions - even though we didn’t realize it
I’m in California this week. As I was walking into the Marriott at Velocity - I noticed a row of unique parking spaces.
..along with a few Toyota Prius Hybrids parked in those spaces
..they were the closest spaces to the doors that you could park after the handicap spots. Great incentive to go green by socially rewarding those who choose to go green on cars. This is the first I’ve seen this, ironically the same day I read about McCain’s plan to generate a magic battery..
Sphere It
My Qik Videos
