T.J. Prebil

Technology Reliance

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

It’s amazing how reliant we are on technology and how challenged we feel if things don’t work properly. For example, today I was unable to print at work, I hit a roadblock with our email service provider when trying to schedule a blast in Salesforce, I’ve been experiencing slow internet connectivity since I got home and now I’m trying to resolve a few unforeseen issues that suddenly appeared with one of the websites I run.

Granted, there’s nothing life threatening to worry about and I’m sure everything will get resolved in short order, but it’s days like this where I can certainly appreciate when everything just works.

Want to Learn Something New?

Sunday, January 29th, 2012

One of my resolutions for 2012 is to learn how to develop web-based applications using Ruby on Rails. My motivation is primarily to breathe life into my ideas and to not be beholden to outside developers and their opinions of my ideas.

For me, learning to code is long over due, especially since I’ve been wrestling with ideas for web-based businesses for the better part of the past 12-13 years. I’ve picked up bits and pieces here and there, including some html, CSS, SQL, a touch of PHP and frameworks (e.g. Symfony) to an extent. I have also taken a few expensive classes and hacked my way through a few static website projects, but I have yet to become fully self-sufficient.

Looking back, it’s easy to regret not using the excess downtime and freedom I had at my disposal to dig into programming, but starting in 2012, I’m committed to changing that. Frankly, there’s too much to lose sitting on the sidelines.

If there’s anything for me to take comfort in having not learned to program earlier, it is that some of the best teaching tools – many free – have only become available in the past few years. Today, there are an astounding number of incredible resources available to help even non-programmers learn to program.

Here’s sampling resources I’ve come across in my pursuit to learn Ruby and Rails…

• Michael Hartl’s Ruby on Rail Tutorial book, website and videos
• Beginning Ruby by Peter Copper
• Railscasts
• Lynda
• Poignant Guide to Ruby
• Bloc
• Rails for Zombies
• Ruby Kickstart
• Code Academy
• RubyMonk

These resources are part of a larger movement changing the education landscape at an amazing pace. From the Kahn Academy to MIT’s OpenCourseWare and from Lynda to Udemy, free and paid resources are popping up everywhere to help people learn, and learn at a pace suited for their lifestyles and using formats (e.g. video, audio, books) suited for their aptitudes.

There’s never been a better time to learn something new!

Au Revoir Halloween

Monday, November 1st, 2010

With Halloween 2010 now ancient history (e.g. ended less than 12 hours ago), CVS is wasting no time in setting up for the Christmas season. I took this picture this morning.

Unearned Interception

Sunday, October 31st, 2010

Similar to unearned runs in baseball – where a pitcher’s earned run average (ERA) is not impacted when a run is scored as a result of a fielding error – I believe the NFL should track how many interceptions occur as a result of a receiver error.

If a ball is tipped at the line of scrimmage, a pass is mis-thrown or a defensive back makes a great play, which results in an turnover, the interception should be credited to the quarterback, as is the case with current rules.

However, if the quarterback throws a “reasonably” catchable pass, which the intended receiver is unable to hold onto – that results in a turnover – the inception should be credited to the receiver.

Microsoft Desktop App Store?

Thursday, June 10th, 2010

I’ve been using the latest version of Ubuntu (10.04) for the past few months while working on a new project. Like transitioning from Microsoft’s Windows to Apple’s OS X, there is a slight learning curve but, overall, I’ve been impressed with the operating system, especially considering its open source, Linux-based, and complete free to install and distribute.

In fact, I migrated my parents to Ubuntu and not only have they adjusted (both are 64 years old) but they have also realized better performance from an otherwise outdated machine formally running Windows.

Anyway, one of the features that I’ve been most impressed with is Ubuntu’s Software Center. The basic operating system installs a suite of applications (e.g. Firefox, Open Office and Evolution etc.) and the Software Center provides quick access to an additional 29,000+ applications, all of which are free. So, for instance, if an Ubuntu user needs accounting software, a screen capture program, a scanning application, or new font types, all she has to do is visit the Software Center, conduct a keyword search, select install, and viola, the program is installed.

Ubuntu’s Software Center makes downloading and installing applications a breeze. There’s no need to select a folder path, enter a license key, or reboot your computer.

Canonical – Ubuntu’s commercial parent company – is following the “app store” trend we’ve seen in the mobile and media markets for the past few years. Today, almost every multi-functional mobile device – iPhone, iPad, Android phones, Blackberry, and Kindle – uses some kind of app center or store.

Now Microsoft has already created a marketplace for compatible mobile devices but I wonder if a desktop app store is inevitable. Such a solution would ease a lot of headaches for users by streamlining the download and installation of software applications.

What Objects Improve Over Time?

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

This past weekend I watched a documentary called Objectified. Directed by Gary Hustwit, the film explores the relationship between manufactured objects (e.g. toothbrushes to tech gadgets) and their designers.

If you’re a designer, or just appreciate good design, I recommend checking out the movie.

While the movie offers plenty unique perspectives on design, the statement that I found most interesting was when one a designer mentioned how few manufactured objects actually get better over time. He points to his leather briefcase, which was passed down from his father, as one example of an object improving with age.

This got me thinking, what other objects improve with age? Here are a few things that came to mind:

• Well made wood furniture (e.g. desk or a dresser)
• Blue jeans
• A leather chair
• Decorations (e.g. china, a chandelier, a painting or a sculpture)
• A classic car (maintenance required of course)
• Real estate (nothing built from cinderblocks though)

I might add wine, music or the stock market to this list too if they were objects.

With such a short list, doesn’t it seem strange that our homes are filled with so many things that don’t improve over time? Take technology for example. Because it advances so quickly, most consumers (myself included) always have their eye on the next best thing. Imagine being able to purchase a TV or a computer that actually got better over time?

Three Pain Points and an Edge!

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

Setting aside resources, execution, and dedicated team members – all crucial to breathing life into an idea – business opportunities are abundant, and often they evolve from solving simple problems. Sometimes specialized industry knowledge is required to see an opportunity but frequently all that is needed is a unique perspective.

Individuals, entrepreneurs, and/or employees can make a case for investigating new business opportunities by identifying at least three existing “pain points” and one “edge.”  Whereas pain points are basically observations that question standard practices, an edge provides an inclination that existing competitors, because of their model, practices, or culture, would be unwilling or unable to pursue the same opportunity.

Business history is littered with examples. Here are few of my favorites.

(more…)

No Mail on Saturday?

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

According to CNN, the U.S. Postal Service is proposing to adjust the mail delivery schedule, “which will likely cut Saturday delivery.”

Good riddance if you ask me! I can’t tell you the last time I received anything worthwhile in mail on the weekend. Instead, Saturday’s delivery includes waste-of-a-tree grocery coupons. If I weren’t concerned about something relevant being stuck in between the junk mail, I’d just throw everything in the trash without looking.

Based on the continued increases in postage rates and the USPS’s $10 billion in debt, it’s about time for some major cutbacks. And while they’re at it, why not cut another day? I don’t think many would mind if the mail was not delivered on Monday, Wednesday or Friday too.

If something is so important to be delivered/received, there are more reliable options (e.g. FedEx or UPS). And for you Netflix fans out there, who may be worried about maximizing the value of your subscription, try streaming movies!

More Than A Decade of Journals

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

Since 1999 I’ve logged my thoughts and ideas on interactive marketing, e-commerce, and other trends in standard composition journals. In total, I’ve managed to fill 27 books and I’m about 25% through my 28th notepad.

Anyway, over the next few weeks, I plan on sharing some of the ideas including my Theory of Interactivity, Multiplier Effect, Hierarchy of Business Needs, and some thoughts on permission marketing.

Stay tuned!

5 Ways to help Haiti!

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

Here are 5 quick ways you can make a donation to the relief efforts in Haiti!

1. Donate to Mercy Corps through Amazon.
2. Donate to the Red Cross through their website or by texting the word “Haiti” (no quotes) to 90999. $10 will be charged to your cell phone bill.
3. Buy a t-shirt.
4. Make an online donation to the Clinton Foundation or text “Haiti” (no quotes) to 20222. A donation of $10 will be charged to your cell phone bill.
5. Text “Yele” (no quotes) to 501501 to donate to Wyclef Jean’s Haitian Yele Charity. $5 will be charged to your cell phone bill.