I don't think there is a subject that polarizes people more than Apple Inc. I thought maybe evolution vs creationism but lets be honest, it isn't. Then I thought maybe Nickleback was more polarizing but lets be honest it isn't.
The release of the iPhone 5 last Friday renewed the fever on both sides of the debate. Now in the spirit of full disclosure, I now have an iPhone 5 and I got it on the day it went on sale. However, I reserved it with my wireless carrier and went after work to pick it up. It was about an hour from when I arrived at the store until I was leaving with my shiny new iPhone. This is not a review of the new iPhone 5. You can read that on any tech blog and mainstream news site. I will say I like it and it is very fast however, that's not why Apple is so successful.
It's well known that Steve Jobs wanted to make a computer that didn't just work well, it also looked good. He put a lot of emphasis on style. It helps but that's not necessarily why they have gone from a few weeks from bankruptcy to the most valuable company in the world.
A lot of people seem to say its because the devices and computers just work. That's a part of it. Microsoft put out a lot of substandard versions of their operating system. They put out versions that they admit should have never been released. You can strip it down and only use parts of Windows. If you don't want to use it you can turn it off for some or all on your network. However, having various manufacturers make the hardware, there has to be a level of flexibility that may reduce a level of effectiveness. Because Apple makes both the hardware and the software, they can drill down to the 1s and 0s and make it work.
One of the better arguments I have recently read is Apple sells you the ecosystem. They control the hardware and the software and the content. Then they make it work together seamlessly. That has to be part of it. I use my devices and computer to do things. I don't sit and try to get them to work together, I sit and use them to do things. This helps sell products but it isn't the whole thing.
All of the above are parts of why Apple is so successful but there is something else. It feels right when you touch there devices. It sounds a bit weird but its true and Apple knows it. The iPhone and iPod feels right in your hand. Maybe even more important is the MacBook Pro, is ergonomically friendly in 2 key ways. First, and probably foremost is the keyboard. I have typed on a lot of different laptops over the years. Most of the keyboards are terrible. you can't feel where your fingers are on the keys or on the keyboard making touch typing nearly impossible. However, at least for me, typing on a macBook Pro keyboard is just as easy as a keyboard for a desktop. Secondly, Apple has made the touchpad useful and effective. A lot of people hate using touch pads. I am one of them except for the touchpad on my MacBook Pro. Because you can use multiple fingers to do different things and you can set it to have to click it like a mouse button, it is useful and not annoying. If your hands accidentally brush the touchpad while typing it won't make the cursor jump to a new spot and mess up your document.
Now I said Apple knows that touching their products helps sell them. It's obvious when you think about how the Apple Store is set up. When you are there you can touch and use any product. They are connected to the internet and fully functional. You can use it and see how you interact with the product. It's not like there is one or two of each product to try, there are counters and tables full of devices and you are welcome to pick up, touch, hold and play with as much as you want. There isn't a Samsung Store in every city and the Sony Store is not nearly as interactive. Apple knows how to make you discover their products.
Some people don't like Apple products. They feel they are overpriced or the consumers are simply following the crowd. There may be some of that but I like how they work and I find them easy to use and get the job done. Let's be honest, it never hurts to look good either.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Powder Keg
Today I was reading a column in the Globe and Mail by Margaret Wente. Most of the time I read an opinion piece it leaves me with a ho-hum feeling but this caught my attention. Maybe it just struck a nerve but it scares me that a video has set off the latest round of violence and diplomatic tension. Of course, if you think about it, this really isn't about the video.
I'll be honest, I'm not a big fan of studying history. It is not my forte. That being said, the one takeaway I seem to have garnered from all the lessons I have sat through or read is every time a major conflict erupts, the circumstances that drove us to the inevitable bloodbath progressed too far to change the course. We, the global we, realized this is deteriorating to an unrecoverable situation much too late. It's easy to look back and see the breakdowns but nobody caught them when they were happening.
I think the world may be at a critical moment.
I hope it's not too late but we need to wake up and realize the world is sitting on a big keg of powder. I have enough faith in humanity to think that most Muslims are decent and tolerant people, who just want to live a comfortable life with their friends and family. Unfortunately, some factions have enough access, resources, and will to attack an embassy of the United States of America and kill the ambassador. At first glance, this may seem like a lucky strike but it's not. I live in Ottawa and often I am in the neighbourhood that the US embassy is located. Now keep in mind, Canada and the US have the longest undefended border in the world. There is no fence. It's routine for people to make day trips across in both directions. It is easier to walk into the Centre Block of the Parliament of Canada than it is to walk into the US Embassy to Canada. You may not get very far once inside Parliament but you can get inside the building before you are screened. This is not the case for the US Embassy. This is an Embassy in a city that has less than 20 murders a year that is the capital of a country that is a close ally to the US. How secure would an American Embassy be in the Middle East?
The factions behind the latest protests may not represent the majority but they have the wherewithal to make a mess and it won't just be spilled milk. They don't need the backing of the sitting government and they don't need majority support. They need access to capital, mobility, and the will to follow through. It seems some of them have that.
I don't know what it's like to be a Muslim or to live in the Arab world. I'm not an expert on the Prophet Mohammed or his teachings. I do know that his teachings are appealing to many people and Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. So, whatever is lighting a fire in these people is not going to simply go away.
There is something else I know.
I know that diversity is a strength. Only spending time with people who share the same views and beliefs as you is boring and limiting. Limiting who you work with because of their gender, race, what god they worship, how they worship their god, the music they listen to, the clothes they wear, how they cut their hair, or who they go home to at the end of the day will only limit your chance for a good idea, a breakthrough, or an opportunity to better the world.
So, everyone needs to chill out. It's not going to be easy. There is still a lot of xenophobia in the world but there is hope. It can be overcome. It only takes patience, questions, and listening. It takes a willingness to learn and understand what others believe and why it's important to them. It doesn't mean you have to accept their ideas or beliefs. You can keep your own paradigm. It only means you have to understand what the other side is saying and why they believe it.
Everyone needs to chip in. Everyone needs to try to learn and I think a lot of people would be surprised by what they find out.
I'll be honest, I'm not a big fan of studying history. It is not my forte. That being said, the one takeaway I seem to have garnered from all the lessons I have sat through or read is every time a major conflict erupts, the circumstances that drove us to the inevitable bloodbath progressed too far to change the course. We, the global we, realized this is deteriorating to an unrecoverable situation much too late. It's easy to look back and see the breakdowns but nobody caught them when they were happening.
I think the world may be at a critical moment.
I hope it's not too late but we need to wake up and realize the world is sitting on a big keg of powder. I have enough faith in humanity to think that most Muslims are decent and tolerant people, who just want to live a comfortable life with their friends and family. Unfortunately, some factions have enough access, resources, and will to attack an embassy of the United States of America and kill the ambassador. At first glance, this may seem like a lucky strike but it's not. I live in Ottawa and often I am in the neighbourhood that the US embassy is located. Now keep in mind, Canada and the US have the longest undefended border in the world. There is no fence. It's routine for people to make day trips across in both directions. It is easier to walk into the Centre Block of the Parliament of Canada than it is to walk into the US Embassy to Canada. You may not get very far once inside Parliament but you can get inside the building before you are screened. This is not the case for the US Embassy. This is an Embassy in a city that has less than 20 murders a year that is the capital of a country that is a close ally to the US. How secure would an American Embassy be in the Middle East?
The factions behind the latest protests may not represent the majority but they have the wherewithal to make a mess and it won't just be spilled milk. They don't need the backing of the sitting government and they don't need majority support. They need access to capital, mobility, and the will to follow through. It seems some of them have that.
I don't know what it's like to be a Muslim or to live in the Arab world. I'm not an expert on the Prophet Mohammed or his teachings. I do know that his teachings are appealing to many people and Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. So, whatever is lighting a fire in these people is not going to simply go away.
There is something else I know.
I know that diversity is a strength. Only spending time with people who share the same views and beliefs as you is boring and limiting. Limiting who you work with because of their gender, race, what god they worship, how they worship their god, the music they listen to, the clothes they wear, how they cut their hair, or who they go home to at the end of the day will only limit your chance for a good idea, a breakthrough, or an opportunity to better the world.
So, everyone needs to chill out. It's not going to be easy. There is still a lot of xenophobia in the world but there is hope. It can be overcome. It only takes patience, questions, and listening. It takes a willingness to learn and understand what others believe and why it's important to them. It doesn't mean you have to accept their ideas or beliefs. You can keep your own paradigm. It only means you have to understand what the other side is saying and why they believe it.
Everyone needs to chip in. Everyone needs to try to learn and I think a lot of people would be surprised by what they find out.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
The Other Guy's Election
Watching the buildup to an election you can't vote for is a bit like watching a sporting event. You can have an opinion but can't really do anything to change who will win. This is how the US Presidential election feels. In reality, I'm happy I don't have to pick someone to vote for in this election. I'm not sure if there is a good choice.
Barack Obama is seeking re-election. He seems like a good guy. He said he would change Washington. It doesn't seem to me that he has. Now he is saying he has the experience his opponent doesn't have. That may be true but he first campaigned on not being part of the establishment and now he is saying he is the establishment.
At the Democratic National Convention the President reminded everyone that he was president when they got Osama Bin Laden. He put this forward as a great example of his foreign policy experience. If you think about it, they were looking for Bin Laden before he was the President. He probably had to tell the Chief of the Joint Staffs to keep looking. That's an easy decision, every American hates Bin Laden. Once they found him, it wouldn't be too hard to order the death of a man hated by every American. I'm not sure if that is a concrete example of great foreign policy action. However, it will tug at the heartstrings of every American.
On the other side there is Mitt Romney. He can run a company but I'm not sure he can run a country. He did run a state, so he may have an idea what he's getting into but often business people have trouble adapting to the inflexible structure of government. What's right for one group may be wrong for another. It's a tough racket to get into if you are used to the flexibility of the business world. I just don't know if he knows what he may end up doing. However, he seems to be the better choice to fix the ailing US economy, and if that gets fixed, the world will become a better place.
I don't know who will do a better job and I don't get a say in this one. I haven't seen a clear answer yet. They both have something to offer. It may come down to the devil you know or the devil you don't. Don't get me wrong, I have no reason to not think they are both decent men who are try to do what they think is right, the problem may be we don't know what is right.
Barack Obama is seeking re-election. He seems like a good guy. He said he would change Washington. It doesn't seem to me that he has. Now he is saying he has the experience his opponent doesn't have. That may be true but he first campaigned on not being part of the establishment and now he is saying he is the establishment.
At the Democratic National Convention the President reminded everyone that he was president when they got Osama Bin Laden. He put this forward as a great example of his foreign policy experience. If you think about it, they were looking for Bin Laden before he was the President. He probably had to tell the Chief of the Joint Staffs to keep looking. That's an easy decision, every American hates Bin Laden. Once they found him, it wouldn't be too hard to order the death of a man hated by every American. I'm not sure if that is a concrete example of great foreign policy action. However, it will tug at the heartstrings of every American.
On the other side there is Mitt Romney. He can run a company but I'm not sure he can run a country. He did run a state, so he may have an idea what he's getting into but often business people have trouble adapting to the inflexible structure of government. What's right for one group may be wrong for another. It's a tough racket to get into if you are used to the flexibility of the business world. I just don't know if he knows what he may end up doing. However, he seems to be the better choice to fix the ailing US economy, and if that gets fixed, the world will become a better place.
I don't know who will do a better job and I don't get a say in this one. I haven't seen a clear answer yet. They both have something to offer. It may come down to the devil you know or the devil you don't. Don't get me wrong, I have no reason to not think they are both decent men who are try to do what they think is right, the problem may be we don't know what is right.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Oh, Quebec
I like Quebec. I willingly spend time there. There is a lot available there that you don't see other places. Once you spend some time in Quebec, it's not hard to admit they are distinct and it isn't just the language. For all that's good and all that's bad there is something I like about Quebec.
I also choose to not live in Quebec. As such, I really don't get a say in how they govern themselves. After the election results yesterday, I'm not sure if the residents of Quebec know what they want either.
I understand the desire for change. Four mandates to the same government is a stretch. I think the Parti Québécois squeaked out a minority victory because enough people want to remind the rest of the country that Quebec can still make waves.
The problem for Quebec is, as the makeup of Canada changes and the west continues to increase in influence, fewer Canadians care about Quebec. In Alberta, a lot of people feel Quebec is slowing them down. It's just another out of date institution in the East. They see it as a place that sucks up their transfer payments and they don't see it as a place to visit. Albertans are not jamming planes and flying to Montreal. I can understand. Until I moved to Ottawa, Montreal was not high on my list of places I wanted to visit.
I don't know what the future hold but I hope Quebec keeps it character and remains in Canada. I also hope all Canadians have a chance to enjoy the uniqueness of Quebec.
I also choose to not live in Quebec. As such, I really don't get a say in how they govern themselves. After the election results yesterday, I'm not sure if the residents of Quebec know what they want either.
I understand the desire for change. Four mandates to the same government is a stretch. I think the Parti Québécois squeaked out a minority victory because enough people want to remind the rest of the country that Quebec can still make waves.
The problem for Quebec is, as the makeup of Canada changes and the west continues to increase in influence, fewer Canadians care about Quebec. In Alberta, a lot of people feel Quebec is slowing them down. It's just another out of date institution in the East. They see it as a place that sucks up their transfer payments and they don't see it as a place to visit. Albertans are not jamming planes and flying to Montreal. I can understand. Until I moved to Ottawa, Montreal was not high on my list of places I wanted to visit.
I don't know what the future hold but I hope Quebec keeps it character and remains in Canada. I also hope all Canadians have a chance to enjoy the uniqueness of Quebec.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
It's Labour Day Again
For most of my adult life the idea of fall meant a return to routine, living in my apartment, and eating what I want - when I want. I spent so many summers working away from home, the idea of an endless summer was not attractive.
This summer I did things I have never done.
I worked normal 5 day work weeks. I didn't work on Canada Day. I had two 3-day weekends in July. I exercised regularly. I wore shorts on a regular basis. I enjoyed my summer.
There are a few things I missed.
I didn't fly anything all summer. I like to fly and it used to be a big part of my summer. I miss helping people develop. I used to spend a lot of time, making others perform at a level higher than they thought they could.
I was at a point where a change was needed. It was time to live a bit more of a normal life. Of course, more normal usually means less exciting. There were not daily adrenaline shots. There wasn't the joy of a perfect tow shift where you were hitting your spots all day and putting on a clinic with your landings. However, I also didn't have to check my watch to have a beer. I normally knew when my workday would end. I could commit to things and not have to cancel at the last minute.
Looking aback on the summer that was i have come to realize that I think a summer of flying and a summer of normal work days both bring upsides and drawbacks. Either summer would be acceptable in the future.
This summer I did things I have never done.
I worked normal 5 day work weeks. I didn't work on Canada Day. I had two 3-day weekends in July. I exercised regularly. I wore shorts on a regular basis. I enjoyed my summer.
There are a few things I missed.
I didn't fly anything all summer. I like to fly and it used to be a big part of my summer. I miss helping people develop. I used to spend a lot of time, making others perform at a level higher than they thought they could.
I was at a point where a change was needed. It was time to live a bit more of a normal life. Of course, more normal usually means less exciting. There were not daily adrenaline shots. There wasn't the joy of a perfect tow shift where you were hitting your spots all day and putting on a clinic with your landings. However, I also didn't have to check my watch to have a beer. I normally knew when my workday would end. I could commit to things and not have to cancel at the last minute.
Looking aback on the summer that was i have come to realize that I think a summer of flying and a summer of normal work days both bring upsides and drawbacks. Either summer would be acceptable in the future.
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