Hey Palm, take a lesson from Apple.
IMO Palm is in a similar position that Apple was in just before Jobs came back. They had good product "base" but everything else was a mess. When Jobs returned he asked a few people to explain their product line, which consisted of at least a dozen different models. No one could do it. Palm needs to get their stuff together and not continue to rest on their laurels. Improve or you'll be out of business in a few years.
If I had five minutes with Palm here would be my suggestions:
Cut back on the number of models and release new models or upgrades on a consistent schedule like twice a year. They currently have nine active models with many overlapping features. It's time to cut back to four maximum. Entry, Consumer, Business/Professional and Phone.
Common features for all four would be:
Two SDIO ports: Most users would use one port for a SD memory card and the other for a 802.11b or Bluetooth card but you could use two memory cards or two networking cards, your choice. Also be forthcoming with the specs and API so third party card makers (like SanDisk) can quickly make compatible products. Currently Palm is obstructing third parties from supporting the Palm in some vein attempt to be the sole provider of such addons at a premium price.
No wireless networking built in. Depend on SD Bluetooth or 802.11b cards. The standards are moving so fast building something in would diminish it's useful life. If a user feels they can get a longer life out of a product many times they're willing to pay more.
Minimum 32M on board memory: 32M allows enough room for contacts, schedules and OS upgrades.
Internal rechargeable battery.
IR port. I know the IR port is tired technology but is still very useful for quick transfers. Besides, while most countries regulate radio communications like 802.11x or Bluetooth, IR is accepted everywhere.
Back lit screen. This is a no brainer. In this day and age selling a decent PDA without it just pisses people off. Even low end models need to be comfortable to use.
Optional "Thumbboard" attachable keyboard. Plugs into the universal port and can be used while moving around. Sometimes pen input is better and sometimes (like using IRC or writing an email) a keyboard is better. Give people the choice to quickly switch back and forth. The phone model would be the exception since it would have the keyboard built in.
Upgradable OS. Turn out updates twice a year. Charge for new features. Updating should be able to be easily done in a similar fashion to a normal hotsync. I know the low end Palm's OS can't be updated which isn't right.
A better hotsync manager. Unfortunately one needs to be logged in to their computer to hotsync. Give us a better hotsync application (for at least Mac and MS Windows, GNU/Linux being a real plus) that allows users to hotsync so long as their machine is running.
Use XML for all data files and allow the Palm to be mounted as an USB drive (like the T5). If someone wants to write a different hotsync application make it easy for them. If you're lucky someone might just come up with a great FOSS replacement which you can adopt and save some R&D money. XML allows programmers to easily integrate their network or web based applications with the user's data. Imagine updating your schedule via the web and (assuming you have an active wireless network connection) hitting hotsync to update. FOSS is your friend, not the enemy.
The same case for all models except the phone. The current Tungsten E / T5 case fits well in one's hand. The "one case" concept allows third parties to standardize on one size. One size means less R&D and lower cost per unit sold.
HyperCard. Ok, not HyperCard but something just like it. The early days of HyperCard were wild. For the first time the common person had access to a simple to use RAD environment. Sure, many of the stac
I use to work at a company that had an UN*X guy who was a jerk and thought his stuff didn't stink. Well, I'm in on a Saturday and start smelling some funky crap (and I mean crap) around the cubicle farm. It seems a dog (or lazy coworker) pressed a semi-fresh biscuit at the base of of the back starts. A little later I found out Mr. UN*X had come in with his dog that morning.
I've had VOIP from Lingo for 3 months now - $19.99 per month - free US & Europe
$20 per month = Unlimited calling to US, Canada and Western Europe.
$35 per month = Unlimited calling to US, Canada, Western Europe, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, South Korea and Guam.
From the article:
"This is someone who stole and attempted to sell for profit some valuable asset of Microsoft," said Tom Rubin, the associate general counsel for Microsoft. "It is our secret recipe, our secret formula like the Coke formula."
More like the secret recipe for the nuggets my cat leaves in his litterbox. Manufactured in a similar fashion too.
It's sad that his prediction just before his death that someone else would reap the credit & rewards for his work and he'd be forgotten pretty much came true. While his paddle design was crude I believe he would have come up with the "paddle wheel" on his own. Looking at his drawings he was very, very close. Of course his idea of placing a steam engine on a boat was revolutionary.
If he had only chosen to the work the Hudson instead of the Delaware IMO he would have earned the money needed to continue his work (something the man clearly loved) and history would be different. But working the Delaware finacially was a poor choice.
John Fitch (the inventor of the first steam powered boat) tried this design (which failed) before going with his crude "paddle" system (picture six canoe paddles on each side of the boat with an overhead gearing system). Later Robert Fulton (a brilliant engineer in his own right) saw the design and greatly improved it by designing the circular side paddle wheel system.
Excellent explaination and right on the money. In that same vein there's also real support (something Novell does quite well). If you're running Netware, got a CNE or two this distro was built for you. IMO it's there to help people running Netware move their desktops away from MS Windows. Something I whole heartedly support. =)
There are other (better IMO) distros for home, small office, etc. users like Ubuntu (Ubuntu is so sweet) or for hard core tweakers Gentoo (also a fantastic distro). Many distros offer choice and choice is a good thing. They're filling a niche, not trying to take over the GNU/Linux world.
Novell's a good company with good products. I hope ND takes off and wish them the best of luck.
To then go an claim credit for those political ideals is ridiculous.
The credit belongs to many, not just FOSS, and it's just one of the latest steps along the way. The framework of FOSS was inspired by politics so it seems logical that it would return the favor.
Software might still be developed in "smoke filled rooms" but politics certain isn't.
You're kidding, right? Politics is a dirty business that is quite actively developed in "smoke filled rooms". What you see in the media is clearly not the full story. Follow a bill (state or federal) from start to finish. It's like watching sausage made a hundred years ago.
The fact that this bazaar style seemed to work, and work well, came as a distinct shock. As I learned my way around, I worked hard not just at individual projects, but also at trying to understand why the Linux world not only didn't fly apart in confusion but seemed to go from strength to strength at a speed barely imaginable to cathedral-builders.
Politics up until recently has been an insider's only game. Any information about a candidate was only available through a few select news outlets and many times it was "polished" so said outlet wouldn't have their access shut off. Discussions were limited to the local coffee shop with a few people. It was the cathedral.
Now the news and editorials come from everywhere. We can discuss the same issue with hundreds of people in a day. Opinions can be formed with the help of a diverse and eclectic group of people. While this system scares traditional news outlets like daily papers, local tv and radio stations, it works very well. It is the bazaar.
Even though I don't think when Eric wrote his landmark article about the history of GNU/Linux it could or would be applied to politics, I think parts of it fit this issue quite well.
The Internet and FOSS have truly changed the way we live. Is it any surprise that it's also changing politics too? BTW, if you haven't read "The Cathedral and the Bazaar" read it soon. It's great stuff.
It seems that they have taken a different track in their management style with their motto
"You can make money without doing evil". How many companies would reply to any issue on a Sunday?
I think they know if start playing back room politics people will very quickly move to another search engine. It's a rare thing today to see a big company doing the right thing, and Google is one of them.
Leave an egg salad sandwich someplace that can only be traced by smell.
I once worked at a large office where it was suspected a former employee placed about a dozen eggs in different places in the duct work. It seems after sitting there for a few days they finally cracked and release their nasty payload. The smell got into everything. They had an outside company come in, scrub down every inch of duct work and clean the chairs, carpet, couches, etc.
We also had a problem with employees dropping straightened out paper clips into the vents of monitors. Fire up the monitor and you got a loud bang with a little smoke. I was one of the guys who had to swap them out so it wasn't much fun for me.
The bigger question is why. Did they really hate the company that badly? Is this their only voice?
Yeah, Walmart goes nuts when this happens. I like the idea. No damage to anything and it helps the employees see that a union might help them. Hurting the management while helping the workers.
I worked at a Walmart for a few months, a long time ago, and you should see the anti-union stuff they make new hires watch. If anything scares Walmart, it's unions.
Check out "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich. She got a whole chapter about working at walmart and describes what you're talking about.
Positive ID requirements have been a requirement for opening a bank account a fews years before the PATRIOT Act. The regulation was passed as part of the WoD (war on drugs, that other never ending conflict which is draining the US of money and lives).
It seems that where the laws used in the WoD left off the PATRIOT Act took over. Since it seems that Mr. Stupid is on his way back to Washington things are only going to get much worse.
"Welcome to amerika. Please leave your quaint notion of civil rights at the border."
<Zybl0re> get up <Zybl0re> get on up <Zybl0re> get up <Zybl0re> get on up <phxl|paper> and DANCE * nmp3bot dances:D-< * nmp3bot dances:D|-< * nmp3bot dances:D/-< <[SA]HatfulOfHollow> i'm going to become rich and famous after i invent a device that allows you to stab people in the face over the internet
The only major site that might break this tradition is The Drudge Report...
Actually they already declared Bush the winner! The ironic thing is on their front page they have a big ass picture of a Diebold voting machine (scraped from yahoo those cheap bastards).
There are several reasons this is not an iPod killer per se.
I'll bet that Apple already has an answer to that thing anyways. Somewhere deep in their R&D department has to been an iPod with a color screen that plays Quicktime video files. It wouldn't surprise me if Jobs hasn't already started talking to video production companies asking them for the rights to distribute their shows. Want a copy of Frontline, Simpsons or "Good Eats"? It will cost you a $.99 for a 30 day copy. Remember, DRM can be added to the QT format.
As you know (and as do most people that read/.) Apple has been two steps ahead of everyone else since the early '80s. They should turn out something by the end of next year and IMO it'll be worth the wait.
Agreed, ebay
showed only one dead ipod for sale, with 13 bids at $75.00.
This dell/ipod makes no sense. I mean really, is there one person here that would trade a working ipod for a $100 coupon towards anything dell makes? Even if Apple didn't have such a loyal following, on engineering alone the ipod wins.
Add in the fact that music from the iTunes music store IFAIK won't download to anything but an iPod and this is a pretty stupid offer. It's like asking a Mac user to switch from OS X to Windows XP. What in the world made the people at Dell think this would ever work?
I sure the folks in Cupertino are having a big laugh over it.
Slashdot Mirror
If I had five minutes with Palm here would be my suggestions:
Cut back on the number of models and release new models or upgrades on a consistent schedule like twice a year. They currently have nine active models with many overlapping features. It's time to cut back to four maximum. Entry, Consumer, Business/Professional and Phone.
Common features for all four would be:
Two SDIO ports: Most users would use one port for a SD memory card and the other for a 802.11b or Bluetooth card but you could use two memory cards or two networking cards, your choice. Also be forthcoming with the specs and API so third party card makers (like SanDisk) can quickly make compatible products. Currently Palm is obstructing third parties from supporting the Palm in some vein attempt to be the sole provider of such addons at a premium price.
No wireless networking built in. Depend on SD Bluetooth or 802.11b cards. The standards are moving so fast building something in would diminish it's useful life. If a user feels they can get a longer life out of a product many times they're willing to pay more.
Minimum 32M on board memory: 32M allows enough room for contacts, schedules and OS upgrades.
Internal rechargeable battery.
IR port. I know the IR port is tired technology but is still very useful for quick transfers. Besides, while most countries regulate radio communications like 802.11x or Bluetooth, IR is accepted everywhere.
Back lit screen. This is a no brainer. In this day and age selling a decent PDA without it just pisses people off. Even low end models need to be comfortable to use.
Optional "Thumbboard" attachable keyboard. Plugs into the universal port and can be used while moving around. Sometimes pen input is better and sometimes (like using IRC or writing an email) a keyboard is better. Give people the choice to quickly switch back and forth. The phone model would be the exception since it would have the keyboard built in.
Upgradable OS. Turn out updates twice a year. Charge for new features. Updating should be able to be easily done in a similar fashion to a normal hotsync. I know the low end Palm's OS can't be updated which isn't right.
A better hotsync manager. Unfortunately one needs to be logged in to their computer to hotsync. Give us a better hotsync application (for at least Mac and MS Windows, GNU/Linux being a real plus) that allows users to hotsync so long as their machine is running.
Use XML for all data files and allow the Palm to be mounted as an USB drive (like the T5). If someone wants to write a different hotsync application make it easy for them. If you're lucky someone might just come up with a great FOSS replacement which you can adopt and save some R&D money. XML allows programmers to easily integrate their network or web based applications with the user's data. Imagine updating your schedule via the web and (assuming you have an active wireless network connection) hitting hotsync to update. FOSS is your friend, not the enemy.
The same case for all models except the phone. The current Tungsten E / T5 case fits well in one's hand. The "one case" concept allows third parties to standardize on one size. One size means less R&D and lower cost per unit sold.
HyperCard. Ok, not HyperCard but something just like it. The early days of HyperCard were wild. For the first time the common person had access to a simple to use RAD environment. Sure, many of the stac
Hatch Wants to Fry Traders' PCs
Orrin Hatch, Software Pirate?
After that everyone called the dog "core dump" =)
$20 per month = Unlimited calling to US, Canada and Western Europe.
$35 per month = Unlimited calling to US, Canada, Western Europe, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, South Korea and Guam.
Hey Verizon ... Can you here me now?
"This is someone who stole and attempted to sell for profit some valuable asset of Microsoft," said Tom Rubin, the associate general counsel for Microsoft. "It is our secret recipe, our secret formula like the Coke formula."
More like the secret recipe for the nuggets my cat leaves in his litterbox. Manufactured in a similar fashion too.
"Shaking Hands: Iraqi President Saddam Hussein greets Donald Rumsfeld, then special envoy of President Ronald Reagan, in Baghdad on December 20, 1983."
Betcha that's one photo op Rumsfeld wish he had skipped. The site even has video of the meeting.
"I nominate John Ashcroft to the Supreme Court. Let the healing begin!"
It's sad that his prediction just before his death that someone else would reap the credit & rewards for his work and he'd be forgotten pretty much came true. While his paddle design was crude I believe he would have come up with the "paddle wheel" on his own. Looking at his drawings he was very, very close. Of course his idea of placing a steam engine on a boat was revolutionary.
If he had only chosen to the work the Hudson instead of the Delaware IMO he would have earned the money needed to continue his work (something the man clearly loved) and history would be different. But working the Delaware finacially was a poor choice.
As inventors go he was a great one.
LOL. No, but I've heard people are switching to weed. It's cheaper and not nearly as harmful. =)
Isn't that like charging $210k sales tax on a new $15k Hyundai? Seems a tad high to me and I live in Massachusetts.
Franklin never did build a prototype. It was just one of his many design studies. I guess he was busy with other things. =)
John Fitch (the inventor of the first steam powered boat) tried this design (which failed) before going with his crude "paddle" system (picture six canoe paddles on each side of the boat with an overhead gearing system). Later Robert Fulton (a brilliant engineer in his own right) saw the design and greatly improved it by designing the circular side paddle wheel system.
I'm much more impressed with Dr. Benjamin Franklin's invention of the jet ski.
There are other (better IMO) distros for home, small office, etc. users like Ubuntu (Ubuntu is so sweet) or for hard core tweakers Gentoo (also a fantastic distro). Many distros offer choice and choice is a good thing. They're filling a niche, not trying to take over the GNU/Linux world.
Novell's a good company with good products. I hope ND takes off and wish them the best of luck.
The credit belongs to many, not just FOSS, and it's just one of the latest steps along the way. The framework of FOSS was inspired by politics so it seems logical that it would return the favor.
Software might still be developed in "smoke filled rooms" but politics certain isn't.
You're kidding, right? Politics is a dirty business that is quite actively developed in "smoke filled rooms". What you see in the media is clearly not the full story. Follow a bill (state or federal) from start to finish. It's like watching sausage made a hundred years ago.
Now the news and editorials come from everywhere. We can discuss the same issue with hundreds of people in a day. Opinions can be formed with the help of a diverse and eclectic group of people. While this system scares traditional news outlets like daily papers, local tv and radio stations, it works very well. It is the bazaar.
Even though I don't think when Eric wrote his landmark article about the history of GNU/Linux it could or would be applied to politics, I think parts of it fit this issue quite well.
The Internet and FOSS have truly changed the way we live. Is it any surprise that it's also changing politics too? BTW, if you haven't read "The Cathedral and the Bazaar" read it soon. It's great stuff.
I think they know if start playing back room politics people will very quickly move to another search engine. It's a rare thing today to see a big company doing the right thing, and Google is one of them.
I once worked at a large office where it was suspected a former employee placed about a dozen eggs in different places in the duct work. It seems after sitting there for a few days they finally cracked and release their nasty payload. The smell got into everything. They had an outside company come in, scrub down every inch of duct work and clean the chairs, carpet, couches, etc.
We also had a problem with employees dropping straightened out paper clips into the vents of monitors. Fire up the monitor and you got a loud bang with a little smoke. I was one of the guys who had to swap them out so it wasn't much fun for me.
The bigger question is why. Did they really hate the company that badly? Is this their only voice?
Yeah, Walmart goes nuts when this happens. I like the idea. No damage to anything and it helps the employees see that a union might help them. Hurting the management while helping the workers.
I worked at a Walmart for a few months, a long time ago, and you should see the anti-union stuff they make new hires watch. If anything scares Walmart, it's unions.
Check out "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich. She got a whole chapter about working at walmart and describes what you're talking about.
It seems that where the laws used in the WoD left off the PATRIOT Act took over. Since it seems that Mr. Stupid is on his way back to Washington things are only going to get much worse.
"Welcome to amerika. Please leave your quaint notion of civil rights at the border."
Actually they already declared Bush the winner! The ironic thing is on their front page they have a big ass picture of a Diebold voting machine (scraped from yahoo those cheap bastards).
erynk.vg'fnwbxr.
I'll bet that Apple already has an answer to that thing anyways. Somewhere deep in their R&D department has to been an iPod with a color screen that plays Quicktime video files. It wouldn't surprise me if Jobs hasn't already started talking to video production companies asking them for the rights to distribute their shows. Want a copy of Frontline, Simpsons or "Good Eats"? It will cost you a $.99 for a 30 day copy. Remember, DRM can be added to the QT format.
As you know (and as do most people that read /.) Apple has been two steps ahead of everyone else since the early '80s. They should turn out something by the end of next year and IMO it'll be worth the wait.
This dell/ipod makes no sense. I mean really, is there one person here that would trade a working ipod for a $100 coupon towards anything dell makes? Even if Apple didn't have such a loyal following, on engineering alone the ipod wins. Add in the fact that music from the iTunes music store IFAIK won't download to anything but an iPod and this is a pretty stupid offer. It's like asking a Mac user to switch from OS X to Windows XP. What in the world made the people at Dell think this would ever work?
I sure the folks in Cupertino are having a big laugh over it.
They could've given them this (windows media player required, sorry).