My Random Thoughts (When I have time to write them down)

And my next smartphone is...

2011-12-28T00:53:00.000-08:00

I should start by stating that this post has no definite conclusion.
Here's the deal - I currently own an iPhone 3GS and a Samsung Galaxy Tab (older model with Android v2.2)

Being the tech freak that I am, I often wonder about picking my next phone should my good old iPhone breaks/gets drowned/stolen/eaten.
The more I think about it, the harder it gets to decide.

I'm trying to stay objective here. I'm deferentially not a typical "fanboy" and not the biggest Android fan either.
Also, forgive me for leaving the other players (Microsoft, Nokia & Blackberry) out of the game - I don't think they're gonna make it in the long run anyway. (Well, maybe MS does, but since I need an additional Hebrew support it's currently out of the game).

Let's move on...

Unlike iPhone, Android OS is much more open & customized.
Is this a good thing?
The first time i laid my hand on an Android device I was very excited about it, given the freedom to choose my home screen launcher, keyboard and many more seemed awesome, and a bit missing from my iPhone at the time.
But as much as I tried, somehow, Android OS it never felt as smooth as working with an iPhone; It tends to get stuck, you often need those "free ram" apps, even the scrolling is somewhat less responsive (and I've tried several different phones).
When I use my iPhone, it seems like every little thing was seriously considered.

On the other hand, I love the customization. I love using widgets, copying files in and out easily, Google services integration, etc...

So, what should I choose?
Let's say I hope my current phone doesn't break, because I definitely need more time...

Doccolabs.com is up

2011-11-22T08:19:00.001-08:00

Hey,
Big day on the SQL Stripes' area... Check out the post from my 2nd blog.

http://sqlstripes.blogspot.com/2011/11/doccolabscom-is-up.html

Cheers

SQL Stripes blog: Continuous Integration on SQL Server

2011-09-06T02:17:00.000-07:00

SQL Stripes blog: Continuous Integration on SQL Server: Yesterday, I gave a presentation at the “ Israeli SQL Server User Group” (Part of PASS), discussing the importance of continuous integ... (read full post using above link)

SQL Code refactoring - post by SqlStripes

2011-08-31T00:44:00.000-07:00

Sharing a post from my other blog, discussing the importance of frequently re-factoring your existing SQL code
Click here to read the entire post

The uncertain future of Google+

2011-07-24T00:04:00.000-07:00

OK, let’s keep this one short and simple –

There are a lot of posts regarding features available on Google plus, with various comparisons to Facebook.

But in order for Google’s 4^th attempt of social network platform to work, people have to start using it.

The growth rate is misleading; personally, many of the posts I see are something like this:

§ User: I’m in Google+, how awesome is that!

§ User: So, what’s happening over here?

§ User: Hello???

§ User -> back to Facebook

So, there’s your problem – People don’t ‘hate’ facebook enough to actually start managing their online-social activities somewhere else.

And for those who post their stuff in both places – we all know that’s very temporary! You don’t just post something but also interact with comments, likes, shares and more. You don’t want to duplicate all of these – you want them in one place.

Pie is already full...

While being sure Google is keeping this project alive forever, I don’t see how the switch is made – at least not in the near future.

HTPC Setup (yet again…)

2011-05-11T09:20:00.000-07:00

I don’t know why, but hard-drives owned by me, have the tendency of crashing.

Seriously, I have a pack of about 6 of them crashed in the last two years. That’s a lot!

So maybe it’s an electricity problem in my house, or just bad luck, but anyways – it does make one a true expert at desktop-setup!

So, the last one to crash was my HTPC.

I knew it was coming, the drive made this familiar “clunk-clunk” sound and occasionally it even rebooted (although I can’t keep track of when it’s the machine’s fault and when it’s my youngest boy just pushing everything that has lights on)

So, right before reinstalling I was wondering about a question that many have asked me along the way (considering me a “teckie”… oh well!) – Should I use an HTPC and simply buy a streamer.

This is actually a very good question and there’s no right or wrong answer to it.

In a way, I assume that a streamer would be better for most people – just plug and play.

Well, maybe do a little bit of screen-sound-network configuration but that’s it.

In the past I used to say that with HTPC the options are unlimited, but you know what? Although it’s true I find myself using it for watching movies for about 95% of the time, while the other 5% are for Browsing, Listening to music, Slideshows etc… And most streamers do that anyway!

Having said that – I still picked the HTPC option, mostly for the wider configuration ability for movie watching.

For example

- Having a choice of which front-end to be used (MediaPortal, MPC, Boxee etc…)

- Remote control options (This time I’m using Unified Remote from my Android, which is no less than awesome)

- Sound setup (using EQ on AC3/DTS streams before sending them out to my old receiver)

- Easy upmixing/downmixing options

- Better subtitle handling/sources (when needed)

And as to Pictures/Music, as said, it’s also a pro when you get to use your favorite software (say, Picasa/Winamp) rather than relying on the bundle you get from your streamer.

Until next time… (My Hard-drive crashes)

WP7 Vicious Circle

2011-05-05T03:35:00.000-07:00

I’ve recently read an article stating that less than 700k Windows-Phone-7 devices have been sold up to date.

Is this number surprising any of you?

Moreover, is this number surprising Microsoft?

Again, don’t wish to brag, but my article for over a year ago dubbed “Windows Phone 7 - Is it the Zune of Smartphones?” is pretty much all true, including the recent rumors of Zune’s demise as a bonus.

So, why is it failing, and was bound to fail, you ask?

Basically, Microsoft (and BTW, most things I’m going to write here also apply to Nokia) is in a vicious circle, which started when they fell asleep while other OS gained power and popularity.

They’ve actually had the lead before; back in the early 2000’s, Windows Mobile was in many cases the best solution for the early adopters of smartphones.

So, this sleeping period has its price.

The main assumption for this vicious circle, to my opinion, is the fact that application variety and support is one of the main concerns when choosing a smartphone.

The basic features are somewhat similar (GENERALLY speaking) and thus the applications are the lead points.

The circle goes like this

- User standpoint:

o I want to buy a new phone!

o All of those new devices are so cool an shiny

o But wait! I want to be able to have all of those cool Apps and Games everybody’s talking about.

o Oops! Microsoft (and in many cases – Nokia) are out of the race

o I’m getting an iPhone/Android

- Developers standpoint:

o We’re developing this cool new App!

o Developing for each OS costs us a lot of $$$

o Hey Bob, have you read this recent article stating that almost nobody’s Windows-Phone-7 devices? Yeah… Let’s not spend any effort there

- (REPEAT…)

The conclusion in this point is not definite, because although waking up a bit late, Microsoft has put too much money for closing this giant project.

Having said that, the above vicious circle has to be resolved.

I personally have a solution in mind but I’m sure Microsoft have their own products, or otherwise they wouldn’t have gotten into this on the first place.

Post from my other blog

2010-03-02T08:49:00.000-08:00

There's a new post on my other blog (SqlStripes) regarding GUID's usage in SQL Server.
If you're into SQL, continue reading here -
http://sqlstripes.blogspot.com/2010/03/using-guid-unique-identifiers-as-table.html

Cheers

Windows Phone 7 - Is it the Zune of Smartphones?

2010-02-15T12:03:00.000-08:00

Earlier today, Microsoft had announced its new version of Windows Mobile (now dubbed “Windows Phone”) 7

I saw the demo and must admit that this looks pretty cool! They’ve put a significant amount of work into the UI Look & Feel, breaking the previous look which was, well, point-blank ugly.
The concept of the new UI is the integration between the various components, basically taking what iPhone and Android supposedly lack and making it the most important item.
They also did everything they could in order to break the icon grid look, whether it’s better or not, they cannot afford looking just like the neighbor across the street.

Now, those were the facts. But you know, looking at the presentation I had a déjà vu on the Zune announcement.
Zune came out late, after the iPod was already a huge success.
It was considered to be a bit better (some may argue on that point), but many considered it “too little too late”. And indeed it pretty much failed.

So the question is – are we now looking at the Zune of smartphones?
Is it really this much better than iPhone, Android-based phones to take a chunk out of their market share?

And of course, let us not forget that Apple haven’t said the last work yet, given the fact that the new iPhone will be announced this summer.
I suppose that the edge Microsoft has over Apple is the fact that Windows Mobile 7 will be introduced in a variety of smart-phones, which means the various companies will compete each other and yet each sell is good for Microsoft, so that’s just a classic win-win

Just to clarify - I’m an iPhone owner; but this does not mean I’m an Apple-fan. Windows is my primary OS. I write Windows code so besides the iPhone I’m pretty much a Windows type. (What I’m saying here is that I consider myself objective ;-))

One last note to Microsoft PR team – It is noticeable that you are definitely improving here. But do me favor – don’t use Steve Ballmer as your spokesman, he’s freaking me out!

Thank you and God Bless!

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The #Buzz -Yay or Nay?

2010-02-11T04:36:00.000-08:00

There's a lot of noise regarding recently announced Google Buzz.
A lot is being said about various privacy concerns regarding exposing your most used mailing list and of course, around giving Google even more information about yourself - as if they don't know enough already! ;)

But where is it located? I mean, Looking at the two current major-league players, Facebook & Twitter (I know - there are many more, but not ML yet), the main distinction (by default) between the two is that one is more for Public micro-blogging while the other is more for group/s of friends.
It seems like Buzz is some sort of combination between the two, overlapping to good points of each.

Well, on to the mbillion dollar question (face it, $1m is no money for GOOG) - WILL GOOGLE BUZZ SUCCEED?
Here's my prediction - No. (And i certainly do NOT stand behind anything I say here ;-))

It's not that the project is going to shut-down, just like Microsoft's lame attempt of social network is still online and "active", thing is that most potential users already use at least one social networking platform, and I don't see how Facebook users leave Facebook for Buzz, neither will Twitters.
So, at the beginning, using various integrations, other posts (like this one) will appear automatically on Buzz. But in the long-run - nobody wants to start updating his statuses and words of wisdom in too many different places. So the way I see it - people will stick to whatever they have today.

Now don't get me wrong, you're not looking at a Google hater here, on the contrary - I pretty much like most of their products. But that's just my gut feeling as to how it's going to roll in the future.

We'll have to wait and see how it goes...

Two more random thoughts about this -

- It's a smart thing to integrate with Gmail. Why start with 0 users when you can start with millions?

- What does it mean for Google Wave (geek translation - \/\/ave)? Does it mean that it's not going to make it? All the people I know got the prestigious invitation are doing pretty much nothing with it.
But that's a whole new article and my time is running out :)

Cheers