April 2, 2016
If I Could Get Back Time
February 6, 2016
What does 600613 Spell?
Recently, Google paid an award to a former employee of $6,006.13.
The amount is special in two ways as you can see:
First of all, Google saw that, if you look closely, this number spells Google.
Secondly, it has the number mystical number 613 in it.
613 is a winner and so is Google, which is now the the most valuable company in the U.S. (worth more than Apple) at $554 billion!
If you use simple Gematria, where each letter is a number (A=1, B=2, C=3...Z=26), then Guess what other successful technology companies has the mystical 613 in their names:
(Also, see which amazing technology company has 613 twice in their name!)
In contrast, some ailing technology companies that do not have 613:
- Yahoo
613 is a reminder of G-d's benevolence to mankind in that he G-d us the commandments as a roadmap to live by. 613 is a symbol of faith in G-d almighty and in his holy Torah (Bible).
For those that keep His charge, we believe that Hashem will bless them and keep them.
Indeed, technology used for the good of mankind is a blessing to us all. ;-)
(Source Graphics: Andy and Dossy Blumenthal)
What does 600613 Spell?
October 30, 2015
Who's Getting The Attention Now?
It was very hard not to notice this guy's sneakers and socks (on the left).
Hot pink sneakers with matching Homer Simpson pink socks.
I thought to myself that you've got to be pretty bold to go out and wear that.
It's funny how people love attention, and often it seems like they will say, wear, and act any which way they have to in order to get it.
Maybe (good) attention is like currency:
- It's valuable when your noticed (you become instantaneously cool, one to follow, maybe gets into the school or job you always wanted, oh and don't forget all the likes on Facebook or the paparazzi).
- It feels good to have some (who wants to be ignored or looked down on? Positive attention is like an addictive drug to many people).
- You can trade attention with others (they give you some and you give them some--it's like rubbing each others backs, but in this case it's your egos instead).
- Perhaps, you can even save some up in the (memory) bank (where people remember what a great gal or guy you are).
Think about what do you do to get attention and is it something you are proud of or are you acting a little mischievous, naughty, and outlandish to get it?
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Who's Getting The Attention Now?
March 16, 2014
There's No Line In Online
Kessler's point is that technology is all about convenience.
The way I put it is that online, there is no line!
With technology, we can do things proverbially--better, faster, cheaper.
But so much of technology really is about doing things with the utmost convenience--that means that rather then spend time hunting or gathering, searching or shopping, traveling or transacting, gaming or gambling, we can go online and in Internet speed it's done!
The beauty of the Internet and technology is that there is no queue, no lines, no waiting--just lots of convenience mainly with point and click.
I couldn't hate lines more--hate wasting time--hate doing stupid things that have no real meaning-->time is absolutely precious!
We are mortal and one day, time stops for all of us, so we better use what we have well--use it wisely, not wastefully.
When we have convenience from technology, we have to spend less time on the mundane and have more time to do the things we really enjoy or that can grow us.
So get the doldrums done quickly online, and spend more time with family and friends, on fitness, pursing spiritual matters, and even learning the secrets of the universe--and then blogging about them.
Technology is a convenience and a true G-dsend. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
There's No Line In Online
February 1, 2013
Hold That Smartphone!
Lots of people sleep on the train...especially after a long day and when the weather is the pits out there.
However, this lady falls asleep with her smartphone just lying out on her lap--no hands on--just plop sitting on her skirt.
A couple of guys to my right start laughing and then saying what's that lady doing--someone is going to steal her phone.
They nudge another passenger standing in front of the lady to tap her and let her know.
The passenger begrudging does it and then the guys yell over from a couple of row away--"Hey lady! You better hold on to your phone or someone's going to grab it and run!"
The lady opens her eyes sees the phone just sprawled out on her lap, fidgets with it for a moment, and then of all things--she just falls right back to sleep again with the phone laying there unattended.
These two guys on the train are roaring about it--one starts saying that he saw someone grab another person's device on the train just the other day and run right out the train door with it.
At this point, the lady is sound asleep and now snoring away on top of it and her smartphone is rising and falling with her laborious breathing.
Hey folks, this lady may not have gotten enough sleep the night before, been drinking a little too much, or may not have been the brightest bulb to begin with--but we've all got to be careful out there--hold unto your valuables and your smartphones is quite that. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Hold That Smartphone!
July 25, 2012
2 Eggs Are Better Than One
Two eggs here, as you can see, are two friends--in it together, working together, putting their heads together, sharing life together.
My father always told me that with that special someone the joys in life are twice the joy, and the sorrow in life is half the sorry--he is a smart man!
When it comes to friendships though, I have learned there are many types of friends and we have different names or references for them:
- Childhood friends--"We go way back."
- Best friends forever--or BFF; often you'll see this on bracelet charms, necklaces, or even t-shirts--this is reserved for your closest buds.
- High school sweethearts--"first comes friends, then comes marriage, and then comes a baby in the baby carriage."
- Confidant friend(s)--these are people we feel we can talk to, connect with, and trust with our personal and emotional secrets. Ummm, don't tell, but...
- Neighbor friends--you live near or next to each other, so might as well bring over some welcome muffins or borrow some sugar--then again, "tall fences, make good neighbors."
- Casual friends--these are friends you keep in touch with "every so often" and share some laughs or have a "cold one" with.
- On again off again friends--people you are friends with one minute and alienated from the next--often an endless cycle--you like somethings about the person and other things drive you mad!
- Work friends --these are associates that you work with day in and out--40, 50, 60 hours a week or more--and who you share work experiences, challenges, projects, and sometimes frustrations with--and don't forget "happy hour".
- Friends with benefits--this is a naughty friendship and is what it sounds like--at your own foolhardy risk!
- Marriage partner and best friends--the most fortunate people are those who find their "beshert"--the one true one that they are destined to be with--and who is not only their life partner, but their soulmate and best friend.
Good luck finding and keeping your friends of all types--these are precious and make life worth living.
(Source Photo: Meme shared with me)
2 Eggs Are Better Than One
April 23, 2011
Information-Free Is Invaluable
Information-Free Is Invaluable
November 16, 2008
Enterprise Architecture Plans that Stick
As I read this, I was thinking how very applicable this was to User-centric Enterprise Architecture in terms of making architecture products and plans that stick—i.e. they have a real impact and value to the organization and are not just another ivory tower effort and ultimately destined as shelfware.
The Heath brothers give some interesting examples of stories that stick.
Example #1: A man is given a drink at the bar by a beautiful lady that is laced with drugs and he finds himself waking up in a bathtub on ice with a note that tell him not to move and to call 911—he has been the victim of a kidney heist and is in desperate need of medical attention.
Example #2: Children Halloween candy is found tampered with and there is a scare in the community. The image of the razorblade in the apple is poignant and profoundly changes people’s perception of and trust in their neighbors.
Now, you may have heard of these stories already and they probably strike a deep chord inside everyone who hears them. Well, surprise—neither story is true. Yet, they have lasting power with people and are remembered and retold for years and years. Why do they stick, while other stories and ideas never even make it off the ground?
Here are the six necessities to make ideas have lasting, meaningful impact and how they relate to enterprise architecture:
Simplicity—drilldown to essential core ideas; be a master of exclusion; come up with one sentence that is so profound that an individual could spend a lifetime learning to follow it. In enterprise architecture, keep information products and plans straightforward and on point.
Unexpectedness—violate people’s expectations; surprise them, grab people's attention; I call this the shock factor. In architecture, we can use principles of communication and design (for example identify critical relationships in the information) to garner people’s attention, and help them come away with actionable messages.
Concreteness—use concrete images to ensure our idea will mean the same thing to everyone. In enterprise architecture, we can use information visualization to make information and ideas more concrete for the users (i.e. “a picture is worth a thousand words.”)
Credibility—promote ideas in ways that they can be tested, so that they are credible to the audience. An example is when Reagan was running for president and he asked Are you better off today than 4 years ago. This brought the message home and made it credible with voters in ways that pure numbers and statistics could not. For architects, the roadmap provided to the enterprise must be credible—it must have the level of detail, accuracy, comprehensiveness, and currency to garner acceptance.
Emotions--make your audience feel something; people feel things for people not for abstractions. In architecture and planning, we need to inspire and motivate people in the organization effectively influence, shape, and guide change. Remember, there is a natural resistance to change, so we need to appeal to people intellectually and also emotionally.
Stories—tell stories that are rich and provide for an enduring mental catalogue that can be recalled for critical situations in later life. Often, architects create isolated products of information that describe desired performance outcomes, business processes, information flows, systems, and technology products and standards; however, unless these are woven together to tell a cohesive story for the decision makers, the siloed information will not be near as effective as it can be.
These six principles spell out SUCCES, and they can be adeptly used successfully by enterprise architects to hone information and planning products that enable better decisions. These are the types of architectures that stick (and do not stink) and are truly actionable and valuable to the organization.
Enterprise Architecture Plans that Stick