The Coming Tech-led Boom

Wonderful Article today in the Wall Street Journal:  The Coming Tech-led Boom.  By Mark L. Mills and Julio M. Ottino.  Try to find it and read the entire article.  Here are my take-away highlights:

Since 1912 we have had 100 years of phenomenal growth as a nation.  And Americans are 700% wealthier in real terms.  This in spite of 19 years of "recession" economics.

What caused this?  It was 5 emerging technologies that hardly anyone realized would blossom into drivers of the economy.  What were they?

1. Electrification
2. Telephony
3. Dawn of the Automobile Age
4. Invention of Stainless Steel
5. Radio Amplification

Now, in 2012, we sit on 4 new emerging technologies that will transform things forever and favor the US over other nations (but the effects are hard to visualize today -- just as they were in 1912)  :

1. Big Data
2. Smart Manufacturing
3. Wireless Revolution

All of these are most favorably fostered in the USA.  We also have the world’s best education system in terms of diversity of thinking, and by 2010 we will have a younger population than China and aging Europe and Japan.

What are these ? 

Big Data with the Cloud and other things will allow astronomical feats of analysis, lead to medical revolutions, and other things unimaginable at the moment. 

Smart Manufacturing is nearing the point where we can produce 3-D parts and even whole washing machines just as we print 2-D documents today with a copy machine. New products are appearing using new materials, created by technology.  Materials that didn’t even exist a few years ago.  Some of which are even invisible.   This kind of smart manufacturing will be defined by HIGH TALENT,  not  CHEAP LABOR.  The US is poised to provide that.

Wireless Communication is such a revolution, soon most humans on the planet will be connected wirelessly.  And cheaply.  Sharing ideas, socializing, trading goods and services in real time. The germs of this revolution lie in the USA.  Arab Spring is a visible part of what this can do politically and this future is just opening up.

Another important point, our culture favors this kind of innovation – and changing culture is very difficult and takes years.  Other countries might try,  but it will take years and years if they accomplish it at all.  We have a head start.

Technology for HomeBuilders Second Post -- Drop Box and Use of Tablets on Jobsites

            Another tool for home builders is a website called DropBox.  This concept uses so-called "Cloud Computing" to allow users to post large files in the cloud for ease of sharing with others .  It has won many awards and is one of the fastest growing small businesses in America.  So DropBox is probably here to stay.

      How does a home builder use this site?  My son maintains project folders in DropBox, one for each home under construction, and inside each "box" are invoices, plans, etc. DropBox has apps for all smart phones and for all tablets. It is quick to download and makes accessing files a snap versus carrying a stack of folders and plans in the supervisor's (or owner's) truck at all times.  This improves decision making and allows a common place for all plan documents (specifications for example) so that everyone who needs access to this kind of information can get it -- without driving into the builder's office and searching in file cabinets.

      

      Any reader who has used DropBox or has an opinion about it, please leave a comment.

           Tablet computers are becoming more and more of a must have. My son uses an Acer A500 and it works great in conjunction with a wireless connection. He and I both have Verizon MiFi cards that create a wi-fi signal anywhere there is Verizon cell service.  MiFi generated wi-fi signal is useful for multiple devices (at the same time), works in moving cars, or locations where there is no un-locked wi-fi available. Obviously the MiFi makes every job site a wi-fi zone. With the tablet, my son tells me he can show trade subcontractors plan changes he may not have in printed form, examples of construction techniques, etc. 

      It also is good to have when walking the house with a client. (more on that later).  It's essentially a flat screen laptop and it is quick and easy to use with web based construction management software (BT see earlier post). The nice thing about a lesser priced tablet like the Acer, is, if it were to get damaged, replacement cost won’t break the bank. With the lack of a keyboard or similar attachments that dust and dirt could collect in, there is no real worry about having it on the job site while work is going on. My son has a standard protective case for his. The Acer A500 comes with a USB port onboard and Flash ready, two advantages over an I-pad. It operates on the Android platform, same as his Droid Charge.

Technology for Homebuilders -- a Series of Posts

My son is a home builder (20 houses a year size) and he is investigating and using new technology to smooth out the details of running the business.  Among the devices he uses is are a tablet computer (not the i Pad) for doing things on site. I will be posting a few items he has shared with me over the next few days via posts to this blog.  This is the first: 
 
He uses web based construction management software (called BuildTopia  or BT)-  This means he does not have to rely on a server at the office. Freedom like this makes it the most flexible way to manage his projects. Anyone with internet access can get on the system and view all things related to his projects from budgets to schedules to POs, etc. It also is free to use for his trade partners. They just sign up for an account and he will link them to his account and manage what they can see. The standard viewing option for his sub-contractors are POs and Schedules for projects they are assigned to. It also allows him to send out bids from the system and they can complete the cost and send them back which uploads perfectly back in the activity structure he has for his plans. So far he does not require every sub currently employed on jobs to be online with BT.  But in the future, as the business grows, he will require the subs to use the BT linkup.  It will save much time. BT has a mobile site and with today’s smartphones you can go to their main site with no issues. There is no Flash (software used) or any software plug ins that would create a user issue.  That's very important since everyone is using different devices, different mobile pads and phones, and different operating systems.  BT was wise to keep it simple.   http://www.buildtopia.com/   is a link to BuildTopia (BT). 

Home Depot to add PayPal as a payment method

Just saw this on the news this morning (Motley Fool, video on line).  I think this is something we might see more of in all types of stores.  PayPal is, in some ways, better than a credit card.  I like the ease of viewing transactions on their website, and since it knows where to mail things, checkout for on-line purchases is much faster. And in my opinion, more secure.

Also, if a remodeling contractor was doing some cost-plus work, with the owner paying for material, the owner could open up a quick PayPal account for that job, and let the contractor charge at various stores (assuming all stores would take the card or the password) and the owner could follow the costs on line very easily.  The charges would not be mixed up with other credit card purchases.  And in the end, the PayPal payment would be one lump sum on their credit card bill.  Making it easier, at tax time, to see exactly what the remodeling cost was.  In fact, Motley Fool said that the remodeling contractor could charge something with only a phone number, not even the plastic card or whatever else PayPal uses.

Motley Fool felt the PayPal was a shot in the arm for the stock (that might be a stretch).  They also expect housing is at the bottom, and will go nowhere but up.  HD stock has done great for the past few months.  The old adage was that stock movement predicts future economic conditions. So maybe this is some indicator that buyers are slowly accumulating HD stock in hopes of an increase in profits to come.

By contrast, all the HD stores I go to are empty and I don't see much going on at all.  Same for Lowes stores.  And the cash register lines -- only one was open the last 4 times I went for furnace filters or something.   Yet, all the books say each store does $30 million a year.  I don't see how they reach this number with the tiny transactions I see moving through the cash registers when I am "in store" doing retail research.

Picasa -- the best tool I have found for photos

Having been taken, kicking and screaming, into Picasa after my favorite photo editing program was not powerful enough to edit photos of 1 MB and up, I have come to embrace Picasa as a great tool.

Picasa is free, and free is always good. I have, over some months, edited probably 5,000 photos, and uploaded them to the website portion of the Picasa system as albums.  From that point, it is very easy to send a slide-show album to a friend or multiple friends.  They view it easily, nothing to download.  Viewed on line.

A nice feature of the Picasa website is you can choose to print photos, and then it lets you choose from Walgreens or several other sources.  I always choose Walgreens.  I have an account setup with them, so it opens them up over there, and I can choose which ones to print, and which to "not print".  Take advantage of deals with coupons, and pick up the prints from my nearby store with great ease.

Today, I walked into new territory.  A photo site called WinkFlash has some incredible deals sometimes, like a 12x12 photo book with 100 pages for only $25.00.  Normally that is $125.00.  But, for some strange reason, WinkFlash is not one of the sources on the website version of Picasa.  But, after e-mails to WinkFlash, I figured out how to send my album "potential photos" up (one at a time, but automatic).  You use the "shop" icon on the PC program (Picasa 3), an icon I had never opened until today.  Winkflash is a provider there, so one click later, and my album was on its way up.  Not as fast as other ways to upload to WinkFlash, but 10 minutes later 134 photos were up at Winkflash, ready to pick and choose to create my hard-bound album. 

For business applications this could make good sense, photo books are good sales tools.  I have done them before to help sell condos.  Hard cover book is much more impressive than a brochure.  If WinkFlash keeps running deals like the one going right now,  it might make economic sense as well.

Your comments on which service you use, and how you use it, would be welcome -- just comment and it will then be available to me, and all other Blog readers.

Video Phone Calls & Video Conferencing

While not yet an expert at this topic, I have some to believe that the best video phone call process for most people would be the so-called FACE TIME app for the i Pad.  This is also available on the i Touch (the advanced version of the i Pod) since it has a front facing camera.  SKYPE is very popular and has some kinks in it for some folks, but it will work on a PC or an Mac.  Notebook computers usually have the front facing camera built in.  Desktops would need an external camera.  Bandwidth is crucial for both of these, but maybe less so with the i Pad.  Even with 3-G connection Face Time would probably be acceptable on the i Pad.

Now comes the larger question -- what about business (or organization) video conferencing to save money and time?  No more driving to meetings, motels, flights, etc.  Of course for major money, you can build a special room for these kinds of conferences that does a fabulous job.  Some Kinko's stores used to have such rooms for rent.  Now comes something new for me.  Cisco is a leader in this kind of conferencing and I was offered a chance to view a web-cast describing their affordable device called

Cisco TelePresence  SX20 Quick Set

The Cisco TelePresence SX20 Quick Set easily turns any flat panel display into a flexible, powerful and sleek telepresence system with high definition video quality, multiparty conferencing and three different camera options to accommodate various room size and configurations – all at a value price.

http://www.cisco.com/web/telepresence/products/sx20.html

Please post your experience with any of these so all my Blog readers and, of course, I, can benefit.  

Dale

Cancer Drug -- new one that might be effective

If you, or a person you know, has prostrate cancer, you might want to tell them about this new (I think new) drug treatment.  It works in a different way than prior chemo treatments.  A very good friend of mine has just tried this and says it is effective. I think he might be among the first to use it.  He is what he says:

"The Treatment is called  Zytiga , is a daily pill and works to block the food source to the cancer cells.  Therefore, chemo side effects don't seem to be present."

Costco, wholesale warehouse, a great place

Was there today, food samples all over the store (a Sunday).  Good stuff.  Prices are great in almost every case. Many unique items make it special, I have membership at Sam's but there is no comparison.  Costco, in my opinion is the better store.  And people in the Charlotte store are very friendly (customers and employees alike).  I am told that Costco pays help well, and gets the best.  I believe it.  They also have the best customer loyalty of any retail store. By some national surveys.  Great place to stock up, like paper towels and such -- things that don't go bad "on the shelf" at home.  Their house brand Kirkland is superior to most branded products, I don't think you could ever go wrong buying their house brand.  They contract with manufacturers for something actually superior to similar goods sold under other brand names.  They have their own testing labs and go about designing the house brands with zeal.  They go for value and customer satisfaction. 

Unfortunately they are not in Columbia, my home town.  I can visit with friends in Charlotte, or Charleston. 

I once wanted to buy stock in Costco, but the stock wasn't doing all that well, haven't checked it lately.

Jabra blue-tooth for your phone while in your car.

I got one for Christmas present (they area bout $70 at Costco, I believe -- saw some there today).  It replaced a lesser brand and quality such device I had in my car.  This one is vastly superior in almost every way.  It pays to buy the best in this case.

1. it powers off if the car is not running, from a motion sensor, saving batteries
2. batteries last a very long time between charges
3. on and off it verbally announces what you have done, very helpful
4. it can activate the voice dialing on your phone and works even better than speaking into my phone
5. clear controls for accepting a call or closing out out
6. noise cancelling, so your voice is reasonably clear to the other person, no car noise should get through
7. speaker is loud and clear .. I like it, not perfect, but better than previous device

It clips on your sun visor and is pretty low profile, not a bother to look at.

My prior Bluetooth phone device was high end, and high rated 2 years ago, this one beats it hands down.  So the technology has improved on the high end, but $70 is not cheap.

If you have another brand that you like, or comments, please post.

Allegient Airlines

For those that don't know, there is a small airline called Allegient that flies out of Greenville, SC and several Florida locations.  Other places as well.  They are on the RyanAir model.  RyanAir in the leading discount airline in Europe and flies more passengers than any other.  Prices start at $29 each way.  Allegent does not fly every day, for example, from Greenville it is on Friday's and Monday's starting in a few weeks.  Perfect for a 3 or 6 day vacation in Florida.

Bags are extra, preferred seat selection is extra, and there are some taxes.  But overall, it is a very good deal.  i have flown it and think the seat pitch is better than Delta, and the seats were leather.  The plane was rather new.  It is direct, no changes, a big plus.  It flies to Punta Gorda which is great for me, I have friends living there, and Allegient is the only airline serving it, so parking is easy, no lines, no other passengers for other flights.  It has a different atmosphere -- almost like a private plane out of that airport.

They do not list their flights on Kyak, Expedia or anything like that, so while it is the best deal, you won't find it on normal internet searches.  You must go to their website. 

Angie's list, I am parting ways

Angie's List,   a highly advertised service to find home repair persons, medical doctors and others has been around for quite awhile.  I resigned from the service tonight.

They charge by the month, taken from your credit card (I believe) and are very hard to deal with.  I have tried to cancel my subscription before, to no avail.  My current subscription lasts until May of 2012.  Why they have to have you hooked for a year or something, I don't know.  If you don't pay attention, they renew you for a year automatically.  Great cash flow for them, but, personally, I never use it and think it is a waste of money.  There are other ways to get good information on workers.  And many times I went they had little to offer in the way of help --  they rely on users to post comments and ratings.  Yelp does this for restaurants.  I have rated 80 plus restaurants in the short time I have used Yelp.  I like to see Yelp ratings, but it seldom guides me totally unless I am out of town and don't know where to find what (close to my hotel).

If anyone knows any reason to stay in Angie's list, please add your post.  It is not easy to exit, I had to do on-line chat with them, and they tried to retain me before they would accept my cancellation.

Video's "on line" appearing in furture postings.

I enjoy You Tube videos, and will be posting some links to my favorites from time to time.  These will be on various topics, some instructional, and some music or general entertainment such as magic show tricks.  My best sources are the various "You've Got Talent" Shows around the world.  Patterned after America, You've got Talent (and American Idol) they showcase rising stars in their countries.

Your comments and posts are always welcome, come on in and add to the discussion.

Welcome to my Blog

I have many ideas and thoughts about technology and the news (or what passes for it these days).  Nothing political will appear here, but comments about campaigns and government might occasionally creep in.   I am new to Blogging, of course, so it will, at first, be a place for me to put my daily discoveries.  For those that don't know, I take 70 publications a month, and read many websites a day.  So I am well supplied with thoughts and ideas for this Blog adventure.

Among my best sources are:  The constantly improving Wall Street Journal.  They buy good stories these days, and cover art and real estate better than ever. Theater, technology news, and many other areas are well done in my opinion.

Popular Science and Popular Mechanics are similar in content, but I find some areas in these publications of little interest.

Consumer Reports, I read very carefully, and have for 40 plus years, actually more like 50 plus years.  I started in high school reading copies from one of my teacher's personal collection.

So, starting tomorrow, I will have thoughts on computers, software, i phones, i touch, I Pad, and photography, another hobby of mine.