Happy Birthday Caden

Happy 9th Birthday Caden. He had a couple friends spend the night last night and was extra excited. Ice cream Cake, presents and good times!

9 Years ago I had no idea what I was getting into. Sometimes I still think I don't know yet.

Some good marketing by Google

Just a couple of good TV commercials.

First the guy that sends emails to his daughter to her Google Mail account. See HERE

Next is the Baseball commercial telling the story of the guy who pitches the perfect game on the MLB Video game. I could not find that one on youtube yet. It tells the story of a Music Teacher who knew very little about baseball. But for a Million Dollar reward tries to pitch the perfect game (Video Game) He uses Google to find the hitters weaknesses.

These are great commercials because;

1. They tell an engaging story
2. You can relate to the people in them
3. They tell real stories
4. Have an emotional aspect to them.
5. Are simple
6. Have some type of personal reference.

Facebook killed www.riatfamily.com

So when I created the site it was for sharing photos and such. Well, Facebook does that and so much more. So this weekend it will be going away. You may stay tuned however to see what shows up in its place!

As seen on TV

They have that show (I believe it is with a guy called Holmes) where he goes in to help people who have been taken by bad contractors. You know, contractors that do not do work up to code, start and do not finish, wire an entire house to one breaker, pipe the sewage directly into the basement and such.

I love that show. He shows how much work it is to fix something done poorly in the first place where it probably would be easier to start new!

I figured that we need that type of show in the IT world. Pictures and such of IT work done poorly.

Wiring and cabling
Using home products in the corporate network (Think XP Home)
No backup (Or poor backup)
Telling people "That's just the way it works"
Printers at every desk, but the one on your desk is someone else's
Instead of recommending new equipment they keep fixing old the old stuff (One part at a time) and of course sending you a bill each time
Selling out of date equipment

Maybe this poor install and configuration just runs in business. Next time you need anything fixed.

Car
Appliances
Small motors
PC's
Roof
or anything else

Find a qualified, certified person. Not the cheapest!

Who would have thought 10 years ago.

It was the recent 10 year anniversary of the iPod. Look at the changes that have happened. Sure the Internet was around. However it was mostly 56k dial up, or 1.5 mb at the fastest, single core processors, wireless existed but was not everywhere, no real such thing as smart phones.

Now?

My smart phone has replaced;
Camera
Internet (On the go)
IM (Instant messaging)
planner (Or at least the calendar)
Remote control (House alarm, audio system and more)
Facebook (What is that ten years ago)
GPS



This is just a short list. Not to mention that my phone has more storage and processing power than my home computer had 10 years ago!

What will this technology look like when Caden reaches 18? It could be amazing. What a great industry to be working in. I look forward to the change everyday. Or even every hour. I cant wait to see what is next!

A great fall so far!

It has been a great fall so far. What does that mean? Mild temperatures, a little moisture, late freeze and all around good weather. In Kansas it can be almost any weather this time of year. I remember when Caden was born on October 29th there was an inch or so of snow on the ground. Hard to think about this when I am still cutting grass each week due to the mild temperatures.

I am always sad to see the warmth go. It means being confined to indoors, putting the Corvette away for the winter (Not to worry, I will get it out several times) frost on the windows of the car in the morning and everything goes dormant.

However with that comes Thanksgiving, Christmas and a New Year. It all goes so fast once you get to mid November.