Google Voice with your existing number - how about building a trapcall type service?

Google Voice Blog: Google Voice with your existing number

Now you can use google voice with your existing number and still use features such as visual voice mail etc... I wonder if Google will set up a service such as trap call (or even buy it)? that way, an user can transfer a call to Google Voice... for recording etc..and may even be able to set it up to be transferred elsewhere based on the rules that they may have setup.

Google gets Gizmo5, What next?

Google Voice Blog: Google welcomes Gizmo5

Finally, Google announced that they have acquired Gizmo5.

Wow.

I already had my Google Voice number being forwarded to Gizmo5, ringing on a home phone. Can I now say, that Gizmo5 will now offer Free outbound calling thru Google Voice?

What about acquiring http://www.gtalk2voip.com/? The company that built the technology to transfer the voip calls to GTalk and back? That would cover entire gamut of technology needed to work.

Will Gizmo client have to merge into Gtalk client and with that will it continue to support MSN and SKYPE etc? I hated Gizmo5 client so much, due to its intrusive code and it was really heavy.. I hope Google steers clear of much of its crap.

It will be interesting to see... how some of this actually even makes into Android... .. Think of a Wifi based android phone that works with Google Voice Service instead of a regular carrier.

:)

Zune Media Player for PC

I wonder why Microsoft would not use Zune Media Player for PC as a standard application and add support for all other media players (That support Windows Media). It is a great piece of software with a really nice UI.

RIP Dash Express ?

I wonder if Dash Express has any future now? The company has already announced that it is quitting the hardware market. Now they want to sustain themselves as a platform provider. Only companies that want to make GPS and are not on a viable platform will find Dash attractive. Even the companies with established platforms such as Garmin, and Tomtom will find it tough to survive in Post Google Navigate market.

Dash may want to sell out itself to Nokia, or Google and/or port its platform to Maemo or Android. Since both of these are running on Linux, it should not be a totally difficult task. There are other options such as Openmoko and Palm, but in terms of funding Nokia and Google may be able to get the platform needed lift and merge it with their existing offering.

Dash can become a "Google Dashboard" on a car, just like Android trying to become the preferred Phone OS.

Got Fon 2.0n Router

Just got my Fon 2.0n router in mail. Now, needs unpacking.

Message for Mr. Ranadive

It appears that webMethods tried to certify its integration suite against Tibco EMS (JMS provider), but Tibco did not co-operate...

Heard a Tibco guy confirming that they won't.

Message for Mr. Ranadive is... you have always challanged status-quo, then why this?

Post Oracle-Sun, outlook for Tibco and Software AG

Post Oracle acquiring Sun, it will be an interesting but polarized market. People will gravitate between IBM, Oracle and Microsoft... of all... in such scenario, there is need for additional consolidation. In terms of Integration tools, Tibco and Software AG have a great match. Tibco's bus technology with Software AG's webMethods Integration Server can create best of the breed integration tool that will be a good competition against IBM's MQ and related tools, Oracle's Fusion and Microsoft's BizTalk.

Google Voice Blog: Moving to Google Voice!

Google Voice Blog: Moving to Google Voice!

GrandCentral is finallying becoming Google Voice ( I am sure people are going to be confused with Google Talk and Google Voice).

I would love to see an integration of Google Talk, Google Mail and Google Voice,

Imagine:

- Combined Contact List

- Combined Inbox (GTalk is already integrated)

- All you may need t do is log into Gmail (Gvoice and Gtalk will be just tabs or plug-ins).

- Ability to make and receive phone calls from GTalk/GMail itself

- Gtalk notification when someone sends you SMS or Voice/Mail (Gtalk allows you to send SMS already in USA).

Basically GMail becomes your one stop communication solution.

ACID3 Test and Chrome

Google is about to solve the Acid3 Test as it appears in the screenshot... There are minor kinks for them to solve.

Note: This test was rendered on Windows XP using their development build.

Am what I never thought would be!!!: IT in the world of Karl Popper

Am what I never thought would be!!!: IT in the world of Karl Popper

My friend Anil has a good interpretation on prediction for SOA.

Calendar Application - Chandler Project

Chandler is a personal information management (PIM) tool. Not that such tools are not useful anymore, but with Smart Phones and PDA, the game is shifting away from PC based softwares to devices and web based solutions that can be accessed from anywhere. Even than, there is still market for tools such as Chandler, Mozilla Calendar etc, as anyone who wants to use something lighter than Microsoft Outlook will continue to look at other tools.

Microsoft advertising on Google Adsense

Microsoft's advertisements about Seachperks are appearing on Google Adsense and various google applications.

Official Gmail Blog: More changes to Gmail contact manager

Official Gmail Blog: More changes to Gmail contact manager

Since both regular contacts and suggested contacts are going to show up in suggestions, It will be great if they show up in different colors.

When will Microsoft learn not to play with users?

Okay, 

Now that anger is out on the title of the post, let's get the facts straight.

I got an email from Microsoft today and to get 100 bonus points, decided to try their toolbar. See previous post here.  Installation of the toolbar was fine, i skirted the obvious options to change my default page and default search engine and did the plain toolbar install. Worked just fine. All it needed was to exit my IE and run it again after installation and did first search. Now comes the cons:

• When you use toolbar, it automatically does like "auto sense" or behaves like Google Suggest. There is no way to disable it.
• The feature is very slow, which means you have to wait long between keystrokes.

Anyways, Since I got my 100 bonus points after doing first search, I decided to uninstall the toolbar. Uninstall process was almost smooth. It required me to shutdown my IE obviously. Now comes disaster: It started changing few registry settings. Lavasoft ad-watch running on my pc caught these. This is what it tried to do:

• Change default search to MSN by changing HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search\SearchAssistant to http://search.live.com/sphome.aspx
• Change default page of the browser by changing HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\Start Page to http://www.msn.com
• Change search engine for the user by setting HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\Search Page to http://search.live.com

It is entirely outrageous to change these settings without informing user beforehand.

Once 

Download the Club toolbar and get 100 bonus tickets

I got an email from Microsoft with following text and subject as it is in the title.

Take the Club with you everywhere on the Web.
The new Live Search Club toolbar makes it even easier to search the web, check your Club account, access your favorite games and prizes, and earn tickets, just by searching. Install and use* the new toolbar before November 13, 2008, we will add 100 tickets to your account. Go ahead, try it now!

 

I am going to download the toolbar and try it out. Will post update once done.

Non-Standard Google Map?

View Larger Map

Is there a Google engineer from Bagasra in Gujrat, India? For some reason, Bagasra is highlighted on Google Map more than many other cities. It is not only Bagasra highlighted such a way, there are other cities too. Such as Chalakudi of Kerala, Nigohi of Uttar Pradesh etc...  

Better Performance in Google Desktop 5.8

After reading the blog, I downloaded latest Google Desktop on My laptop running Windows XP. I could not find an option to make Google Desktop use Microsoft Desktop's index. Not sure if it works only in Vista or also in XP. If someone knows, drop me a line.

Better Performance in Google Desktop 5.8

Infosys Makes British Acquisition

Infosys (INFY) is acquiring Axon, a British Consulting firm for $748 million. Axon is a player in SAP space and is having operation not just in UK, but also in Canada. It will make Infosys an aggressive player in SAP Consulting space. Infosys and Axon have overlapping clients, allowing Infosys to consolidate its position in those clients.

Infosys Makes British Acquisition

The Associated Press: Court says copyrights apply even for free software

In an important ruling by appeals court, it had judged that writers of free software continue to own copyrights and can dictate terms when the open source license was violated.

It is an important ruling that will help several open source initiatives to force companies that use such open source software to open up their code or pay up for use.

The Associated Press: Court says copyrights apply even for free software

Free Internet Security | WOT Web of Trust

This is one of the coolest security feature that I have seen. WOT gets its data from users as well as other sources to show you if you are at adult site or spam site. It has plug-in for FireFox as well as Internet Explorer. I am going to try this one for few days.

Here is a screenshot of WOT when using it with http://update.microsoft.com  It shows its rating on left. Since I have not specified any rating of mine, there are no ratings from me.

Things to improve

One thing that I find it lacking is that it does not validate if one person opens more than one account. Having a simple credit card validation (no need to charge the card, just use it to validate the user) for the users will give it a way to validate the users (They can also allow other users without validation with may be a little lower rating). If users will be concerned with their credit card details being shared..., than may be 3rd party authentication such as Paypal, Google checkout or Amazon Payment can be used. This is just to make sure that bad site owners don't spam the ratings.

Free Internet Security | WOT Web of Trust

Live Writerfox :: Firefox Add-ons

Microsoft Live Writer has become my favorite blogging tool now, even when I use Google owned Blogger.com. But I can't say same for IE. Firefox remains my favorite browser. In Firefox, I was missing a button to blog using Live Writer till I find WriterFox. Using WriterFox, I can now blog using Live Writer from Firefox.

Live Writerfox :: Firefox Add-ons

twittervision 3D

If you like Twitter, and want to read the public library in 3D.. this is a cool site to do that... They also have a 2D version running on Google map.

 

twittervision 3D

RollStream

I was wondering what was Phillip Merrick upto  after leaving webMethods.

One of the company that he has funded as part of a Venture Fund that he owns  is Jay Jayamohan's Rollsteam. Not just that, he has also got Rollsteam a CEO - Kristin Muhlner - Ex-EVP at webMethods. Would like to get more information on what Rollsteam does and how it can plug-in into SCM framework.

RollStream

DD-WRT :: News

Okay, I hadn't been monitoring DD-WRT site (I hate that they don't use a blog like format with permalink). They seem to have released v24. I haven't tried it, but will try to do in few days.

DD-WRT :: News

Technorati tags: Linux, DD-WRT

Linking WMS with other downstream applications

It will be really great if applications such as Warehouse management systems which handle outbound execution for the distribution centers, can be linked with other downstream applications such as transportation/carrier/freight management or incorporate carrier UI integration so that user can seamlessly jump from WMS to a carrier screen where parcel status is viewable and return back to WMS screen. Probably Web 2.0 or Portals are way to go for them?

deal architect : If the Red Cross only contributed 10% to charity

Vinnie Mirchandani has compared software with Pharma and Charity based on Erik Keller's article. He is right. And this is probably why Open Source is booming.

deal architect : If the Red Cross only contributed 10% to charity

Is SAP’s weakness its real strength? | Irregular Enterprise | ZDNet.com

The article describes SAP's weakness, and how it is turning it into a strength to cope with brave new world. Read it here....

Is SAP’s weakness its real strength? | Irregular Enterprise | ZDNet.com

Lending Money thru Prosper

Okay, everyone knows eBay and some know VirginMoney. Prosper is VirginMoney meets eBay. Lenders bid on loans driving interest rates down on prosper.com, there by making it cheaper for borrower to borrow. It still allows lendors to make money as most loans close with a higher rate of interest compared to what is offered on a money market saving account. Want to check it out?

Use one of the buttons below:

A for Audacity

G. B. Prabhat, Founder has some interesting notes in this article for Entrepreneurs:

I want them to carefully invest on their business. Invest on intellectual property or innovation or productivity driven IT and stay off from labour cost

My favorite Utilities

I am going to post about some of the favorite utilities that I like. They include freeware, opensource ones, paid ones and many others.

 

Watch out for more.

GrandCentral, Jott, Ribbit, Gmail, Gtalk (and everything else from Google)

I wish these three companies would merge. yes, I know that GrandCentral is already acquired by Google. But there are reasons.

1. GrandCentral is one number for everything. But it is also a place that keeps track of who called you, whom you called (if you called thru Grand Central). It also keeps track of my voice mails.
2. Combine that with Gtalk. Well, that is easy. Ability to call a number or receive a phone call on Gtalk will just be amazing. (Not that you can not do today using other 3rd party tools that work with Gtalk).
3. Combine that with Gmail. All my emails, voice mails, contacts and phone numbers in one place.  One consolidated journal for everything.
4. Jott. Yeh... that is the one I can use to dictate my voice mails and emails and other things. B.t.w. it is already having option to integrate with Google Calendar.
5. Ribbit- this is not out of Alpha yet. but it promises to combine feature of many.. e.g. it can transcribe (imagine voice mails going to grand central, jott converting it to a text and sending it to gmail - yeh all of that).

 

What do you think?

Tomato 24 hours, So far so good

Okay,

My Buffalo Router is now running for more then 24 hours with Tomato. And it is running fine. The issue with my browsing is the anti-phishing features of Internet Explorer 7. That is slowing down the browsing as it has to send each URL to Microsoft to validate. I wish if Microsoft could speed up the way it runs those checks.

Why isn't there an anti-trust case against Oracle?

Now that polarization is almost complete in the industry.

Microsoft is still the leader in the desktop space, with Windows Operating System. Apple is second with Mac OS X, Linux is probably at Number 3.

Google is inching closer to achieving monopoly in the web space. It probably just needs to acquire Yahoo, AOL and FaceBook (and shut down Orkut, if merging proves to be difficult). MSN and Lycos will remain to cater to rest of the market till Google acquires more and more of it.

Oracle has already acquired Siebel, Peoplesoft & JDEdwards, Agile, BEA Systems and so on.

Tomato Live on My Buffalo WHR-HP-54-G

I was fed up with my Buffalo WHR-HP-54-G's stock firmware. It posed several issues connecting over wireless since day 1 (not sure what caused it). I have been using it with WPA personal encryption. I am not sure if someone used aircrack-ng or something similar to keep knocking me off the network.

Based on some of the recommendations I received from DD-WRT Users and other folks on FatWallet, I switched to Tomato. Installation was smooth (took 3 minutes). Configuration took another 3. Will post more updates based on experiences I get.

Since my router is now not running original firmware, I am taking it off the Amazon.

Nokia acquires Trolltech

Trolltech is the company behind Qt Toolkit that powers many of the GNU/Linux user interfaces such as KDE has been acquired by Nokia. It makes a large foray for Nokia into Linux world. It is expected that Trolltech acquisition will help Nokia complete its mobile phone transformation to Linux Platform. But it will also have an impact into Linux PCs as KDE remains a popular. Other technologies that Trolltech had contributed to include KHTML.

The Linux Mobile space is crowded with three serious contenders: Nokia, Access (who owns PalmOS), and Google with its Android Platform.

Posting from Word 2007

Okay, I am finally onto Microsoft Office 2007 (Err! But isn't it 2008 already?). Silly me, that is the problem with versioning your product by year – that the year you don't have a product, people using older product feel weirdly outdated and developers make the world feel that they are not doing enough to get a new release out.

Think about it, What Windows Operating System came after Windows Server 2003? Do you remember? Ha ha.

Pixel QI

Mary Lou Jepsen, who was CTO of OLPC, has started a company called as Pixel Qi, which will commercialize technology created that lets users switch from color to black-and-white when it is in direct sun.

Her idea is to commercialize technology, increase its penetration, and there by introduce comparative advantage, reduce price, everybody gets a better deal overall.

A very good idea indeed.
I wish OLPC Foundation would think that too. If they were to sell OLPC for say about 250$ in open market, I am sure there will be a lot of people to buy it. They would make little money and increased sale, would allow them to increase production, as well as drive down the cost.

If I get a chance to buy OLPC in 2008 for 250$, I would buy one, just to use it as a portable book reader. I am sure one with built in Wifi, crackable battery would allow one to read anything anywhere, as long as it is available on the net or on the disk.

OLPC, Are you listening?

ActiveState Komodo Edit

Recently I got hold of ActiveState Komodo Edit 4.2, an open source(rather open sourced) editor. It uses components from Mozilla's framework and has a neat look.

I intended to use it with XML and HTML files. It has good editing features, but misses few things to be used as an XML Editor.

• It does not have a way to indent an existing file. It can indent the file while it is being created. Probably needs a plug-in to be developed to take an existing document and generate indented XML.
• You can create and edit the file in intended mode, and it offers it to be viewed as tree. But if the file was not intended, you can not view it as tree, which can be easily brought over from Mozilla.

Open Source Code Bombs

Various companies have been getting benefited from open source technologies while they build their product, but not all of them are doing enough to contribute back to the original open source project.

E.g. Meraki and Fonera created their firmware by modifying OpenWrt and building their custom code on it. They have also complied with GPL terms by releasing source of their code on their site. Note: I have never tried to use their provided code and build firmware, but people have reported various level of success (Indicating that the procedures are for Hard Core Geeks only - no muggles allowed, documentation is sketchy).

This also occurs with other technology such as GPS, where TomTom and Dash both have created GPS devices based on Linux. They have released open source portion of their code as downloads available from their site including modified Linux Kernel and various utilities.

Apple also did same when they used KHTML and created WebKit. They released occasional  Code Bombs for modified KHTML.

So what is it that they don't do right now?

What they do not do is, they do not contribute the code to the original project. They release the modified source code, but it remains separate as it was forked. It does not get merged into original code. The issues it creates are listed here:

1. It is left to open source community to explore the code bomb and extract, merge, retrofit the changes into original code.
2. It is left to open source community to identify missing pieces as sometimes the code does not provide details into where the code was taken from, and what was changed.
3. Sometimes open source community and the vendor who forked starts moving the code to two entirely opposite directions making it very difficult to merge the code.
4. Software company gets an advantage as so they have visibility into Original Code, changes they have made and changes made to original code by open source community for their next release, but this does not get passed to community.
5. They just make it harder for community to merge the code into main tree.

I wish that they would also make effort to merge their changes into original  projects, there by keeping original projects relevant to real world applications and updated.

Dash GPS

Well, I wrote about capability being added to TomTom that would allow it to collect data related to trip timings etc. But the first company to actually announce such as product was IMHO Dash.

Dash offers a device called as Dash Express. The device features concepts such as a built in WiFi receiver (Others provide bluetooth and require a phone with data plan, Dash needs a Wireless Hotspot with an Internet connection, something easy to have for most people) ,Autoupdate over Internet, ability to send data to Dash over the Internet (such as itinerary). Most important thing it offers is ability to collect information about trip timings, route taken, road block encountered, analyze historical traffic patterns and suggest a better router.

Dash Express is based on open source technologies such as Linux just like TomTom is. In fact, Linux Kernel as modified by Dash is available for download (I wish they would submit their changes to Linux Kernel rather then releasing such code drops, but that needs another discussion).

My wish-list for such devices:

• Give me a free device with a free subscription
• Have a tie up with multiple large hotspot providers such as T-Mobile Hotspot (Think of yourself stopping at a Starbucks for a coffee, and your GPS system uses their Internet connection for free and updates itself with map updates, updated traffic/weather information etc).

A bigger wish:

• Create a standard POI exchange format, which multiple GPS providers can standardize. GPS providers should create standardized POI registry which people can access for free or a very small fee (If the repository is shared, then individual GPS providers do not need to maintain it, it saves them the efforts).

I can ask for more, but this is sufficient for now.

Chili Systems' all-in-one Appliance may be based on Open Source

The Appliance created and sold by Chili Systems (http://www.chilisystems.com/index.jsp) may be based on open source software. The appliance runs on VIA hardware and Chili Systems claims that it runs ChiliOS which is based on Unix. But it does not offer any more information about it. Anyone who has such an appliance? Have you taken it apart to see what is under the hood?

TomTom collecting data from GPS Systems

TomTom's GPS devices can collect data about how much time was taken by an user to go from Point A to B, or what route was used (in case you did not follow what it suggested due to a roadblock or just because you knew a better way).

 

This is a feature similar to what Dash GPS plans to offer in its GPS Devices.

It does have some privacy implication, but overall it should improve its navigation capabilities.

Family Tree at Geni.com

From Microsoft's Family.Show's discussion boards, I discovered Geni.com, a Flash based online family networking site. It allows you to build your family tree in a collaborative way (that is to invite family members, and let them make addition and modification to the tree). It is a great site, with a simple (if not so good as Family.show) UI.

Have a look here.

 

 

I have now a tree that includes a total of 500 people (not directly linked to me) included on the tree.

There are some security concerns about the site that I am going to discuss in future posts.

Making a Family Tree

I recently encountered Microsoft's Family.show. In case you may not have heard about it, It is a sample Windows Presentation Framework application created by Vertigo. The software became popular and people asked for more improvements for it, so now it has become an open source project on CodePlex.com (Microsoft's Open Source Project  Site).

 

Here is a sample tree of Windsor family. The software has limited functionality, but it has a great UI. I would really love if some decent programmers join the project and enhance its capabilities.

One thing I would like it to have is ability to save file on the web (So it should essentially become a software running on a web page). If that happens, it would be great.

From here I found another free service, and I am going to write about it in my next post.

What is the next big thing in the Browser Wars?

People would probably miss next big thing in the browser wars, as it is happening quietly. But it is import to notice it right now. It is called as WebKit.

• What is WebKit? It is the engine behind Apple's Safari Browser, Dashboard, Mail and everything else that Apple uses.
• Then it is proprietary? It is Open Source, and it is based on KDE's KHTML and KJS libraries.
• Why did Apple not update KHTML itself? Apple did what all big and powerful companies do to implement faster solutions based on open source technologies. They forked the code (copied and modified the code as they wanted without getting open source community involved in the process) and then opened source code of the fork.
• Would that not kill KHTML? Well, it does not help KHTML much, considering that all the improvements Apple created would not be part of KHTML itself. But, there are some efforts on bringing those changes into KHTML without breaking it. It may eventually kill KHTML if KExplorer and other tools to use WebKit in place of KHTML engine (as there are efforts to do so and also here, it may survive only thru its descendants. )
• Why is it important? There are few reasons.
  • Growing influence of Mac OS X.
  • Growing influence of Apple Safari (now it is available for Windows and also used on iPhone) - Mobile Phones
  • Nokia's S60 Platform forked WebKit to create its own browsing engine - Mobile Phones 
  • Google's Android uses WebKit based browser - Mobile Phones
  • GNOME's Epiphany browser has switched to WebKit from KHTML.

The next place where people would view a web site is not laptops or PCs but the mobile phones. And the browser on the mobile phone is going to define how the websites of future will be shaped and it looks like WebKit is in the center of it.

Did you not know that your batteries would perform better if they are cold?

Okay, everybody knows that heat effects electrical and electronic devices such as CPU and RAM, but what about the battery? Did you know that if a battery is heated too much it would not perform better? (Yes, everybody knew that heated battery can make your device catch fire), but was it kind of - yeh everybody knows it - type of idea. Well, someone just filed a patent around it.

So what about heat sink for battery or the cooling fans?

Whatever happened to Buffalo Tech

Okay, So all the technology companies are not exactly made of Gold. But then so are the patent trolls. I am not sure why CSIRO choose Buffalo while trying to attack the wireless platform 802.11g etc. But in most likelihood, because it was a soft target. Unlike Cisco/LinkSys and Netgear, Buffalo is still not a mass consumed  wireless gateway and it is neither American company (unlike the other two) who can possibly call some shots thru the US Congress.

But the buck has to stop somewhere isn't it? I mean just because someone in patent office was not competent to know if such an application is unique or not, who is at the fault?

Oracle XPI Issues

For some people who do not know what is XPI or WSG, here is a primer:

Long time ago, J D Edwards tied up with a company called as ActiveWorks for providing Integration Tool for their ERP. This tool was called as J D Edwards XPI - an OEM product from ActiveWorks for J D Edwards.

Later, ActiveWorks was purchased by webMethods and the relationship between J D Edwards and webMethods continued.

Soon after, J D Edwards was purchased by PeopleSoft. The relationship continued. The tool was renamed to PeopleSoft Enterprise XPI.

In the aftermath of Oracle's acquisition of PeopleSoft, the tool came to Oracle fold. It took Oracle few years to build a technology to integrate with J D Edwards, as a result, Oracle had to continue providing a lifeline to XPI. Only change it could do was that, it renamed the tool to PeopleSoft Enterprise Web Service Gateway (WSG) and would provide limited support (no patches are issued, only suggestion to what can be done provided).

Now, webMethods has become part of Software AG. Adding more complications in the MIX.

Oracle is almost ready with components that can be used as part of Integration - so called - Oracle Fusion.

Latest version of XPI/WSG is 6.1. This is based on webMethods's Integration Server 6.1 platform. The webMethods Integration Server platform has advanced. There are service packs and 100's of patches for the bugs that existed in the product. But none of them are available thru Oracle.

So if you are using XPI for developing integration for your J D Edwards, you are out of luck.

What you should do?

1. If you have already invested in developing a solution around XPI, best thing would be to go with a regular webMethods license. That way you would have access to latest patches and service packs from them. On a flip side, you will spend money on integration license.
2. If you are starting to develop an integration with J D Edwards, look to Oracle Fusion. That is what Oracle wants you to use and will continue to enhance. It is still like getting a beta software and you will have a roller coaster ride, but that's what Integration is supposed to be. Isn't it?

Days Ahead on CircuitCity

I visited CircuitCity couple of times during last few weeks. Each time, I really struggled to find clearance goods there. When I asked around, they said that each item on clearance is in its own isle, and there is no way to tell unless you read the price tag on the shelf. That is a hard to find thing, I mean you have to walk into the isle, and you have to read price of each SKU and around that price, you will find if it is on the Clearance. Why can't they put more attractive/brighter clearance tags/flags? or Just create a shelf of all the goods on clearances. After all, the idea behind putting a SKU on clearance is to get it out of the door faster. But at Circuit City they just make it harder and harder to find.

Obituary of CompUSA

CompUSA hasn't closed yet, but people are already writing an obituary of it. whether it was Mexican Entrepreneur who could not turn it around, or if it was the competition, one thing is true. CompUSA did not provide great service to its customers in its last days. All the visits to CompUSA that I had done before they closed in Atlanta weren't really great (Well, I do not have good words for Circuit City, Micro center and Best Buy either). I always found that they had parts costlier then many of other stores (not the web price).

I am not sure if Circuit City and others are reading this event closely and making changes. If not, they would meet a similar end too.

unlocking Netgear WGR614

I have a Netgear WGR614 v3 router.

Here is how the router looks from inside:

(Source of Image: http://www.linux-hacker.net/misc/wgr614v3.jpg)

I found from Seattle Wireless and other sites that the router has possibility of accessing it via telnet. So I ventured around. First thing to do was to find TelnetEnable tool that is described on the net. I searched for telnetenable.exe and found it.

My copy of telnetenable has following information:

C:\Software>TelnetEnable
Version:2.1, 2003/10/17
Usage:
TelnetEnable    

Here is what I had to do:

Execute following:

TelnetEnable [Router IP Address] [Router Mac Address]Gearguy Geardog

To get [Router IP Address], I executed ipconfig and picked up my gateway IP address. Since I was connected to the router using one of the lan port, it was easy.

To get router's mac address, I found two methods.

One: run arp -a command. This lists all the IPs that have been known to your PC and their mac address. The mac address is printed in the form of AA-BB-CC-DD-EE-FF. You need to remove all the additional characters and write the Mac Address as AABBCCDDEEFF.

Two: The mac address was on a sticker just on the back of my router. That was easy.

Gearguy and Geardog are the login ID and passwords for the telnet console for this router.

If the command executes quickly and ends without any error, that means the router was unlocked. But if it does not, or returns some sort of error, then it would mean it did not work.

More to follow in next post.

Fonera and DD-WRT

Someone at my home stepped on my Fonera and broke its antenna few months back. Since then it was sitting in the closet with all the other hardware that I had.

Finally, i decided to flash it with DD-WRT to try out if it works well. My Fonera was having 7.1R3 firmware. Just by changing the DSN to one provided for Kolofonium helped to enable SSH on the router. Once I got SSH enabled, the confusion was about logging onto it. The admin user of Fonera is actually a root user when used with SSH.

Finally logged in. Loaded patched kernel, changed the loader and then finally loaded DD-WRT. Keep watching for more updates.

AOL and Plaxo

I just installed new AOL 6.5 client. What it did along with it is that it installed Plaxo with it. It did point it out as part of agreement.

I would have liked an option that would allow me to "not select" Plaxo.

Google Android

Google just released Android aka Open Handset Alliance.

Well, yes, everyone knows that.

But it is not something new. It is something Google had acquired as part of Android Inc. and they have been working on it since then.

But there is a problem. Is it fighting against Handset makers or the carriers or both? Well, it did get support from T-mobile and few others. But those are not the only company in the world. Even if they can not get AT&T and Verizon to sign up, there are many others (well they did get China Mobile) such as Reliance of India, Hutch Worldwide, Airtel Worldwide etc.

But one thing is for sure. It does give Linux Kernel plenty of credibility as a backbone of a Mobile Operating System (Yes, Linux is not an operating system, but just the Kernel).

Technorati tags: Linux, Google, Android, HTC, China Mobile, Verizon, Hutch, Reliance, Airtel

New Windows Live Writer

Yeh!

But isn't it confusing? Am I Pro-Microsoft or Anti-Microsoft? Well, I am a centrist. I will use whatever works. I am a libertarian. If the tool is great, I would use it.  I would really love, if I can blog from Firefox (after all, it has an HTML editor).

Plaxo Networking features

Plaxo has finally built a tool that will compete against LinkedIn. check out the screenshot.

Few Limitation on GrandCenterl

There are few limitations on GrandCentral.

1. Grand Central can not be used to make international calls. This is understandable, but - If they would tie up with any provider, they can provide users options to buy international call credit and use it. That would be a revenue stream - would it not be? One can still configure a long distance call provider's 1800 Number and get the calls across.


2. To open up a Grand Central Account, you need to have access to a real phone number. Hmmm. What if I don't have one? What if I have a phone with an extension? What if I am not in USA? Now, there is a work around to that.

Just for the start, For who have missed my earlier post on GrandCentral; GrandCentral allows you to get a phone number (virtual) in area code of your choice (most areas in US covered) and direct it to any phone you wish to. Not just that, you can choose which phone it will direct to based on who is calling or if it will go to voice mail etc. That is a good idea indeed. The best part of it is that you can choose to direct your calls to Gizmo (Well, that's where GrandCentral does save outgoing call money as it is a net to net call - or so I hope).

Upgrading RAM on Acer 3680

I used Crucial's Ram to upgrade memory on my Acer 3680 from 512MB to 1536 MB. I ordered the Ram using this link. It arrived in 6 days thru UPS and USPS. I had to struggle to identify how to open the laptop to upgrade, but found handy help at another blog.

Acer's own website does not provide much information on how to upgrade their laptops with such minor improvements. Dell is much better that way.

Configuring a VOIP Router for Gizmo

Well,

I think you all must have started using Gizmo by now. Now, what if you want to configure a VOIP Router to Gizmo, so that you can connect a regular phone to it?

That is very much possible. In fact, people have take up task of configuring Sun Rocket router, unlocked it and started using that for Gizmo. Check the link here.

How to configure X-Lite for GizmoProject

if you do not want to install GizmoProject's client, you can use other generic VOIP Client too. e.g. X-Lite.

Here are the settings verbatim from them:

SIP account Information

Display Name: (Display name that you may like to use - say Gizmo - your name)

User Name: (found in your Gizmo Project profile)

Password: (exactly as typed in Gizmo Project)

Authorization User Name: (found in your Gizmo Project profile)

SIP Domain: proxy01.sipphone.com

For Domain Proxy, you can select options as defined on the screen right now.

SIP Address: 198.65.166.131

At this time, SIP Domain and SIP Address reflect same server.

Free Incoming Internet Phone/VOIP

Who does not like a free VOIP Phone with a real phone number? So how do you go about getting one?

Okay, here is how it is going to work:

1. Open up a free VOIP Account. There are a few ways of getting them. I have listed them here.
   
   1. GizmoProject from Sipphone provides a VOIP Client with Jabber Support as well as a VOIP Number. Optionally you can buy CallIn or Callout service from them. (But, if you want everything to be free you don't want that right?)
   2. MindSpring from Earthlink has free VOIP Service as well. They also provide a DialOut. To use the service, you have to open up a free earthlink email account.
   3. There may be more on the market that I may not be aware of. :)
2. Get a Free Phone Number to direct to your VOIP Number. This can be done in two ways
1. Get a Free Washington State Phone Number from IPKall. You need to provide details about your SIP provider here.
2. You can get a Google GrandCentral Account to forward calls to Gizmo (At this point, GrandCentral supports only Gizmo as VOIP Option. I would love if they start doing regular SIP Peering like IPKall to any VOIP provider).
   • Locks you to Gizmo
   • Needs you to have an US Phone Number - to open up GrandCentral Account - may mean you need to be in US?
3. if you used Step 2a, but you want a number in a specific area in US, then now it is time for you to open up a GrandCentral Account to direct the phone to your IPKall Number, which will get directed to your Gizmo or MindSpring Account.

Apple Safari on Windows - Issues

There are few stuff that are annoying about Apple Safari. It would not allow me to open up SAP SDN website. Try opening https://www.sdn.sap.com/ using Apple Safari and you will get annoying

Safari can’t open the page “https://www.sdn.sap.com/” because it couldn’t establish a secure connection to the server “www.sdn.sap.com”.

I wonder how Apple Employees must be accessing SAP SDN, considering Apple uses SAP as ERP.

Apple Safari on Windows - Plug ins

Here is a list of what works automatically - if components are already installed on your machine:

• Macromedia Flash
• QuickTime and QTVR
• Java Applets
• Ajax

What does not work for sure:

• Microsoft's new Silverlight

Finally - IE and Safari Side by Side

For Comparision, here is IE and Safari side by side. Safari offers better fonts by default (you can get them with IE too with twicking).

Apple Safari Beta... on Windows.. First Run - Screen 3

The Browser even on first run seems to suggest sights based on what you may have typed.

But on a closer look, it is actually reading the history of IE session from my machine.

Bad for someone who may not like such sharing.

Apple Safari Beta... on Windows.. First Run - Screen 2

For the multitasker, just pressing ctrl+t, will create new tabs to browse on. Just like Mozilla/Firefox and new IE 7.

Apple Safari Beta... on Windows.. First Run - Screen 1

After performing the installation, first run was just few minutes away. So is how it goes:

The UI has a very iTunish look (I am assuming that the normal windows user has never used Mac OS). It looks clean.

Apple Safari for Windows

Apple finally released a version of its Safari Browser for Windows. The Browser is currently in Beta. It will be a definite addition to what I have on my PC. I have used Lynx, Mosaic, IE, Netscape, Opera, Firefox/Mozilla before.

Let's take a look at Safari Running on Windows:

Step 1
The Installation Starts with a very simple screen.

Compared to installation of iTunes, the Beta has a very simple installation right now.

Step 2

It comes with an extensive Beta license agreement.

One of the key terms defined on the license are:
Consent to Use of Data. You agree that Apple and its subsidiaries may collect and use technical and related information, including but not limited to technical information about your computer, system and application software, and peripherals, that is gathered periodically to facilitate the provision of software updates, product support and other services to you (if any) related to the Apple Software, and to verify compliance with the terms of this License. Apple may use this information, as long as it is in a form that does not personally identify you, to improve our products or to provide services or technologies to you. Indicating that the browser has something that calls home.
It also has several open source components - which is why Apple asks uses to refer to GPL and LGPL license (says the license is supplied with the software). I tried to look for the copy of LGPL and GPL license distributed with the software, but could not find one.

Step 3

Browser is supplied with Bonjour and Apple Software Updater (if you ahve iTunes, that you probably have both of these already).

Step 4

The setup ends. It does not provide any clue if Java is supported or of any other feature from the setup.

What is outsourcing and what are the terms around it

Sometimes, the terms such as outsourcing become to confusing. Hopefully this post simplifies it. It can be applied to any process such as manufacturing. This example tries to explain IT Outsourcing.

IT applications and infrastructure around it is an asset for a
company.

When a company would keep the ownership and hand over management and upkeep of IT applications to another entity, it is outsourcing.

Sometimes company would outsource the management to captive unit providers (subsidiaries, sometimes legal entities seperate from the company but part of same conglomorate) - in this scenario companies are mostly shifting jobs from one company to other company, one location to other location. Sometimes it is done to save taxes (Layers of companies, less tracabilities)

Sometimes companies will outsource to third party providers. This is what is most people understand at outsourcing. Sometimes, the providers execute the work from same location - which is called onsite. Sometimes, the providers execute
the work from different location - in same territory (country, timezone, region
- dffers per vendor) - which is called nearshore. When the proejct is executed
from a far off location - it is called offshore.

Jajah

Well, Intel decides to invest in Jajah and also provide its patents on VOID for use at Jajah. Smells fishy? How would Intel and Verizon have patent on same concept? if they have, different patents, because their concept is different, then how would the products interoperate? One thing stupid about Jajah is that you need to be connected to the net to make a call .. which means you should be on the PC, or should have a phone capable of running Jajah client.. (The call actually goes thru the Phone and not PC, but it needs to be initiated from the web... that is pain. It would be good if they would add a call in number..

Joost Anyone?

If you have not heard about Joost, take a moment to check http://www.joost.com, It is a web based Video Player based on P2P technology by the founders of Skype... and Napster..... and it is Legal.

If you need a Joost invite, all you need to do is just ping me - provided you know me...

New Google Analytics

Google has updted its Google Analytics software to make it more simple. Google Analytics was added to Google's portfolio with addition of Urchin and MeasureMap, two of the aquisitions it had made.

Note: This blog's visitors are tracked using Google Analytics.

Tibco and Web 2.0

While other companies are heavily investing in SOA, Tibco is silently reinventing itself as a Web 2.0 company. It has heavily invested in Ajax technologies, while its mainstream products are still doing good in the market. What does it plan to do next?

Whatever Happened To SeeBeyond?

When Sun acquired SeeBeyond, it was widely speculated that it would be open sourced or atleast it will be made freely available. But all of a sudden, that seems to have died completely. Sun does have Seebeyond based Java CAPS on its site for marketting, but there are no downloads. Has it changed plans?

Google and Its Yada Yada

You must be wondering what is Yada Yada got to do with Google. Check out the screen shot of the message that I got when I downloaded New Google Desktop.

Microsoft Snooping on PCs without users knowing about it

Normally I implement most Microsoft Office patches without getting into fine prints, but the latest one spooked me completely. Here is a screenshot.

Want to read it verbatim? It says:

Size: 1.0 MB
Microsoft has released an update for Microsoft Application Error Reporting. This update fixes an issue with Microsoft Application Error Reporting that may cause some information about application errors to be sent to Microsoft without notifying you.
More information for this update can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=EE28696F-0826-409F-9B1C-781D28BB5981&displaylang=en

That means Microsoft had been getting data from My MS Office about crashes without me knowing about it.

Free ZIP software from PKWare

Not sure how many of you recall, PKWare, the company that created PKZip program. They are offering free SecureZip utility for Individual use. Go to http://www.securezip.com/ for more info.
You could also try this link.

webMethods after Software AG

I have been having offline and online discussions with people about Software AG's acquisition of webMethods. Some of the concerns that we have discussed are:

• Combined Company has multiple overlapping products: Products from Software AG, webMethods and Infravio overlap in SOA Registry area. They would have to identify how they want to position these products.
• webMethods' History of Combining different finished products is not so great. They spent a hugh amount of time developing products such as Modeler, Workflow etc and took a long time to merge them.
• webMethods' History of Product Upgrade is not great either: Customers who upgraded from ActiveWorks/webMethods Version 4 Solution to their Version 5 and then Version 6 would tell you nightmares they have had trying to do the upgrade. Now the customers face a similar issue upgrading from Workflow to the new modeling tool.
• A foreign company: webMethods has had large Federal Accounts: DoD, Military using webMethods for EDI etc. Would they want to buy same software from a non-american company? It is not a fair world out there.
• Open Source: webMethods has been using Open Source Tools into its products for a long time now. It built first version of webMethods Manager and Optimize on Tomcat, Hybernate etc. It used embedded Tomcat Server for variety of purpose. But it has not been so great in contributing to Open Source. Now it faces increasing compitition from open source world itself. Without having partners in that arena, it faces a great challange in small and medium enterprises.
• Losing F2000 Customers: webMethods positioned itself as a solution provider in Fortune 2000 arena. That is a highly crowded space. Integration Tools from SAP and Oracle when bundled with respective ERP solutions promise a better value proposition to the Fortune 2000 companies. Fortune 2000 companies also find that their IT Teams tooled in Java and Java Servers are able to adapt to SAP and Oracle's J2EE solution easily compared to a non-J2EE webMethods (this is also being seen as a way to lower TCO by not requiring specialized webMethods skillset).

There are more things to discuss... will wait to hear comments.

IONA acquires LogicBlaze

IONA acquired LogicBlaze, a company with an open source Integration Platform apart from active supporter of Apache ServiceMix and ActiveMQ. They do not appear planning to provide support for LogicBlaze's products, which may cause worry for its 20 customers. But it means other Vendors may have a chance at these customers, unless IONA offers them an option.

Integration Space, Who remains?

After webMethods's aquisition, 0nly pure play ESB/Integration ISV that remains in the market are TIBCO (going strong and moving into other areas such as AJAX), IONA (which has developed a decent open source strategy as well as has a legacy of CORBA Servers to sustain on 2005 –ve, 2006 +ve) and Vitria (already burning money ;-ve net income in last two years). See the graph comparing their fortunes from Google Finance.

There are other integration tools such as Sterling Commerce (very strong in EDI and SupplyChain Space) from AT&T stable, and Seebeyond (now part of Sun), We have to wait and see how they grow.

Software AG to Aquire webMethods

Also see http://www.softwareag.com/Corporate/Company/latestnews/20070405_WebMethods_page.asp.

Why?
First Thoughts:

• I think all the 3rd Party ISV Integration Tools are losing market share (new license revenue as well as from existing customer accounts).
• Fortune 2000 companies are moving away from Home Grown Legacy applications to off-the-shelf Enterprise Applications.
• Off-the-shelf Enterprise Applications are promising better integration capabilities, as a result, clientsforesee a reduced need to perform internal integrations using Integration Tools.
• Proliferation of SAP XI and Oracle Fusion bundled with ERP Rollout has reduced size of market for ISV integration tools.
• webMethods' lack of footprint in J2EE space makes it less attractive (say compared against a JBoss, webSphere or webLogic based Integration Tool)
• Its investment in SOA Space (in terms of money spent in acquisitions of about 6 companies in last 4 years) did not pay off very well (compared to pure play SOA companies such as Cape Clear).

IONA Acquires C24

IONA is on acquisition spree. It aquired C24, a company that is in Finance Messaging Standards.

Are you about to start an Open Source Project? Here are Tips

John D'Addamio has written a decent write up on how to start an Open Source Project and some Tips around it. Well, Considering that he works for Microsoft (!!) as an Open Source evangelist, it is worth a read. On their own, these tips are excellent and holds true.

Wireless Mesh Network

I am facinated by Mesh Networks. But I never found a very good example to explain to someone. I finally found one at OLCP's site. (Kudos). Here is the link .

Windows Vista

If you wish to run Windows Vista and buying a laptop right now? What would you need?
Here is a readup. But make sure to look for Premium Configuration as otherwise, you will not be able to run the new "GUI" from Microsoft. Whoever said that you don't need more hardware to run a new Microsoft OS must be turning in his grave. Microsoft has always proved that their new OS will need more ram and more processing power then ever. Now it also needs more hardware resources. Read more about it here.

I would stick to XP and if I need to swtich, will switch to Mac or Linux. MacOS can give a similar or better GUI now and a cheaper configuration too.

Easy to use free accounting software from Microsoft

Microsoft is offering a free accounting software for USA. Check it out here...

Easy to use free accounting software from Microsoft

John Battelle's Searchblog: Google Has My Credit Card Number Now

John Battelle's Searchblog: Google Has My Credit Card Number Now has a very nice write up and on that if you read comment from Sadagopan, you probably do not want to use google checkout any more.

Sadagopan's weblog on Emerging Technologies,Thoughts, Ideas,Trends and Cyberworld

On Sadagopan's weblog on Emerging Technologies,Thoughts, Ideas,Trends and Cyberworld, he says that time of web 2.0 has come.

In a way it is true. The way web is designed and running till now is such that only techies (not geeks, just techies) found it usable. Even to send an email, it made it so complex with stuff such as return receipt etc. Hopefully web 2.0 will make internet accessible to rest of the folks.

Windows X’s Shrine

Do you want to make your Windows XP look like Vista? Check out Vista Transformation Pack by Windows X here.

Microsoft, Netware and other Linux Vendors

What does it mean with the lastest hoolabaloo about Microsoft tying up with Novell?

IMHO, Microsoft has succeed.
What about Linux Distros? Well, if Novell faced an issue (Interesting enough, SUSE was going pretty well), other Linux Distros will surely face a similar issue. If Novell was just interested in getting 300MN$, it would have easily sold of SUSE to someone such as Oracle, Sun or Google (i am sure Oracle would be interested).

What about other large Linux Supporters such as Oracle? Well, Microsoft is trying to kill Linux Completely. In fact, in mid-to-large server segment, Linux is (and was?) first real threat to Microsoft. Solaris achieved a status and is just maintaining it as a leading Unix OS. Mac OS X is still years away from becoming the darling of corporations in running their mail servers and directories (Exchange, Actrive Directory are probably most sold products of Microsoft in server segment). Linux based mail and ldap have become easy to setup and maintain. Companies like oracle had performed sufficient harm to the whole scenario by buying off various small opensource entities such as SleepyCat/Berkley, which were running as backbone of many such Linux based system.

What is this occuring? A reason behind why this may be occuring is partially becausing of IP Laws as well as how the licenses are structured. OpenSource companies have to find a way to make product seperate from the company. Right now buying a company allows the buyer to literally kill the product. It should be structured such a way that product remains alive even after company is purchased by someone else.

What about Patent Laws: US need to something about the law. If someone finds a new way of holding a pencil that will make writing easier, can he patent it? I think with the current law, I can (provided I get the right lawyer to get it worded correctly). Patents were about technology and innovation, but instead they have become a legal battleground. If nothing is done about it, the market will be shrunk.

What does the threat lie now?
What about Other OpenSource based OS? OpenSolaris? Mac X OS? Would Microsoft go behind them too? There are several other opensource operating systems, all of them have a problem now.

What about the 100$ laptop that Media Lab of MIT was building. It was supposed to be running a flavour of linux. Now, if Linux is in danger, then this project is also in the danger. A laptop running Windows Vista will need atleast 800$ of cash, which means no one can afford it any more in 3rd and 4th world countries. So we can forget about educating kids with easily available technology, atleast for 30 years (assuming that patterns expire in 30 years).

Windows XP and Service Pack 3

Mary Jo Foley writes " Windows XP Service Pack (SP 3), which Microsoft officials said in January to expect in the latter half of 2007, now has slipped into 2008" at http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/index.php?p=54&ta.... That is a lot of bad news for Windows Users, but probably good news for Sun and Various Linux vendors. What this is going to do is, force lot of Windows Users to determine if it is good for them to stay on Windows with some of their apps, or move to Vista or other platforms for better management. Just to think, if Sun ties up with Dell to ship Sun Solaris on AMD based Dell boxes or even Intel based Dell boxes.. what could happen?

Free Antivirus?

Are you looking for a free Anti-Virus for your PC? Look no further, there are two simple solutions.

If you are running Windows 2000 or XP, there is Grisoft's Free Antivirus... It may be lacking some of the features and It may be annoying a bit... but it works, and it gets updated regularly. Updated: There is a new version available out there, so if you already downloaded one, be sure to download the updated one now.

If you are running Windows XP, then you have an option of using Google Pack. Follow the link on this page and you could download Norton Antivirus 2005 which is part of Google Pack for free.

Uptime on Windows NT/W2K

I was trying to find out how to find uptime of my W2K laptop (not sure why Microsoft did not provide such utilities bundled with OS itself, or as an option to install). Then I stumbled onto a link, which finally directed me to the Uptime Utility's URL at Microsoft.com. Here it is again for you all to download and get going: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q232243/.

Free WiFi HotSpots and Security concern

Well, if you are dependant on WiFi, then this article is really useful to understand implications of using Freely available WiFi signals. Apart from that, this article also applies to using free WiFi Signals available around your home (unauthorise use of such signal is not legal).

Check out the link at ZDnet.

GE: Laptop with data on 50,000 staffers stolen

Well, Looks like Data Thives have started targeting Corporations too. Companies would have to look at data security outside their organization, apart from their internal organization itself, as almost all the companies have data travelling outside always in one or other form.

Google and Microsoft

Well, Wouldn't you think that Google competes with Microsoft?

Hint: Let me ask you a question. If you need more information on Microsoft, which search engine will you use?



Well, Google does provide a search page configured to search for microsoft specific sites. Difficult to believe? click here. 

Introducing the Triple Boot Mac

Wow, Isn't that cool? Not so.

Dual booting or triple booting OS on one mac is never going to be used in production. Just for Hobby.It would really be wise if Apple would bundle Mac with Linux as an option.

Read more at www.linux-watch.com/new...

meebo.com

A web based messenger? Access to Yahoo, MSN, Google and Everything else (AOL... :) )... Visit meebo....

Read more at www11.meebo.com/

Google Talk

Have you seen new pictures assigned to various contacts added to your google talk? Did you ever wonder, how did such features get added? Look into your \Program Files\Google folder, and you will see several updates Google Talk has downloaded and installed (even without your knowledge). What do you think about it? is it a good way of implementing something?

Read more at www.google.com/talk/

Google Talk and chatting with multiple people

How do I use Google talk to talk to multiple people? I haven't figured it out yet. Did you guys find it out?