Thought of the Day

Some say "You never know what you got, till it's gone." But I think you never really understand the true beauty, depth, and comfort of something, until you realize it's only temporary. Then, and only then, can you see it for what it really is: a miracle.

Mark Shuttleworth: Open Source Hero (Archives Vol. 5)

Mark Shuttleworth is perhaps one of the most unique entrepreneurs in the business world today. Growing up in the dusty mining town of Welkom in South Africa, Mark developed an interest for computers through the use of computer games. He obtained a BS degree in Finance and Information Systems from UCT (University of Cape Town). While at the university he came in contact with the Internet for the first time and realized the potential it had for the business world. While in his senior year at UCT in 1995, Mark started Thawte; an Internet consulting business.

Thawte quickly changed focus to Internet security for application in electronic e-commerce. This company that Mark started became the first company to develop a full-security encrypted e-commerce web server commercially available outside of the USA. This server brought the company to even greater success, as it plugged into the world of public key infrastructure. Even Microsoft and Netscape took notice, and Thawte became the first trusted third party for web certification. This made it possible for businesses around the world to accept secure transactions over the web.

Then, in 1999, the US company VeriSign bought Thawte for more than $500,000,000, making Mark a very wealthy man. But Marks business scope was far from over. He saw the potential global impact that South African entrepreneurs could have, and formed a venture capital team called HBD ( The name references the phrase “Here Be Dragon.” As legend has it, this phrase was used to describe uncharted territory on maps.). This company seeks to invest in companies, based in South Africa, that have the potential to serve a more global marketplace. The invested companies include such fields as software, mobile phone services, electronics, and even pharmaceutical services.

Mark also formed a non-profit organization, named the Shuttleworth Foundation, that supports the innovation of education in his home country. The foundation's main goal is to fund projects that have the potential to improve aspects of the education system, and works on improving quality and the reach of education in Africa. It seeks to find ideas that have the potential to dramatically change civil society for the better and funds those ideas. But Mark Shuttleworth wasn't only starting businesses and foundations right and left, he was also chasing dreams.

In 2002 Mark became the first African in space, and also the second self-funded space tourist in history. Mark even started the project that launched him into space; The First African In Space Project. He paid approximately $20 million of his own money to participate in the space flight. This included 7 months of formal training in Star City, Russia. Since he was a boy, Mark had dreamed of going into space, and while up there in space, looking down on our Earth, he had a revelation. “Going to space and seeing the Earth from a distance makes it very clear just how interdependent we are. So I wanted to do something that was really global; free software is a phenomenon that is truly global” (From an interview with Mark that Glyn Moody did for 'The Guardian'.).

Out of that revelation came an idea, and out of that idea came a new business for Mark Shuttleworth. In 2004, he founded the Ubuntu project, which is a project focused on providing a quality desktop and sever operating system that is available for free world wide. This project aims to bring the best of the free and open-source world into a Linux distribution that is available for anyone. Mark made an initial investment out of his own wallet of 10 million dollars. I use this operating system daily, and am actively involved in the community of users and developers.

In march of that same year, Mark formed a company called Canonical Ltd, that is focused on promoting and commercially supporting free software projects. This company oversees the Ubuntu project and all its derivatives. Mark is currently very involved in this company and is seeking to branch out to partner with such developers as Intel on the Moblin Project. The Moblin project is focused on creating a standardized Linux platform for mobile Internet devices.

What Makes Mark Shuttleworth An Entrepreneur

What makes Mark Shuttleworth an entrepreneur is his ability to see the potential in an arising market, and create a supply for the demand made by that market. A wonderful example of this is seen in his first company, Thawte. Mark saw the potential the Internet had to change the world, and saw a need businesses would have in this new industry. He created a company that would provide security for users of the Internet. Even before the Internet became is big as it is today, he saw the need, and created the solution. He risked his own money and time, to produce something for a market that was said to be only a “faze” but what Mark saw as a globe changing market.

He also saw the need for funding for the ideas that were not being implemented in the South African education system. Mark saw that the future of the world and the coming generations where not getting all the education that they could be getting. He saw the need, and created the supply, using his own money to start a non-profit organization.

In the same way, he started the Shuttleworth Foundation for promoting open source, open information, and open standards with the conviction that charing information leads to change and broadening horizons. And later down the road started and is actively involved in Canonical. With canonical he is using the potential of open source software, specifically Linux based operating systems, and commercially supporting them as they rise in popularity and implementation on the Internet. While some question the future of Linux, it is very clear that it's use is being widespread through more recent products. Dell is now selling computers with Ubuntu (Mark's own version of Linux) pre-installed as their Operating System. Many web surfing devices such as EEE's products, and the Acer One series, are using Linux as the default operating system.

Why I Chose Mark Shuttleworth

When first asked to choose and write about an entrepreneur I had no one in mind. I didn't want ot do the normal “Bill Gates” or “Steve Jobs” paper because, quite frankly, there are so many other amazing entrepreneurs in the technology world. So, being an Ubuntu Linux user, I decided to look into who created the Ubuntu operating system. At first I found a few pages on his involvement in Linux, and a few other software companies, then I discovered he was the first African to go to space. I was completely amazed, in fact, I double checked several times to make sure that this was the same Mark Shuttleworth who started the Ubuntu project. The more I studied and read about him, I came to the conclusion that no other entrepreneur could be chosen over Mark Shuttleworth.

Mark's achievements are not the only reasons I chose him. What made me choose him over other Linux pioneers, and computer geniuses, was his purpose in life. The purpose that overflowed into everything he did, technology wide, or world wide. Mark seeks to use his success to forward and improve the education system in South Africa. Instead of using his millions solely on himself, he funds organizations, and educational resources such as HBD, and the Shuttleworth Foundation. Mark believes that “education is the key to unlocking the creative and intellectual potential inherent in all individuals while aspiring them to believe that anything is possible.” (http://www.shuttleworthfoundation.org/about-us/history) What really made Mark stand out to me was his active involvement in changing the world and the economy. So many famous people talk and talk about changing the world, but it is rare to find a person who does more doing than talking. Mark is not a famous man, in fact few know him for even his space flight, but he still uses his success to change the world. To improve the minds of the next generation. Mark wants to give South Africa the ability to connect to the outside world, and the wealth of information found on the internet.

What Mark Shuttleworth Has To Offer

In Mark Shuttleworth's first business, he offered internet security. His security server enabled other businesses and companies to share information within their industry, and not have to worry about hackers stealing their data. This is a crucial service to those companies who have much internet based transactions, and services.

With HBD Venture Capitol Mark offered investments in innovative companies based in South Africa that could potentially serve the global marketplace. This support for the smaller companies brought more services to levels that are easier to reach in the business world.

Ubuntu is an operating system that seeks to provide a free and open source operating system both for servers and desktops. It brings together the best of the open source and Linux world into a Linux distribution that is freely available to anyone in the world. It also provides an extremely dependable server platform for any company or business that hosts its own website for web application.

Works Cited

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/may/22/internet.software

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080722-mark-shuttleworth-life-on-mars-ubuntu-in-emerging-markets.html

http://www.shuttleworthfoundation.org/about-us/history

http://www.africaninspace.com/home/aboutmark/index.shtml

http://www.markshuttleworth.com/biography

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Shuttleworth

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/MarkShuttleworth

http://www.linux-mag.com/id/6385

The Verdict: The Archives Vol. 4

Note to reader: All characters and places are fictional. No ethnicity, culture, or system of government is represented in any part of the story.

I waited in silence. There were no sounds except the dripping of a leaky sink down the hall. The only light in my small confinement came through a small slot in the door. The floor and ceiling were cement and there were no other openings. There were four cinderblock walls painted a dull grey. A small cot occupied almost a third of the cell, and a steel toilet fastened to the wall was the only other furnishing.

I stood up and started pacing the small cell, trying to organize my scattered, drug-thirsty thoughts. Although the drugs had been out of my system for days, my body and mind screamed for them. The longing occupied my every thought, and all I could think of was how in the world I had gotten here. I couldn't remember what had happened, and the parts I did remember seemed like a puzzle, whose creator forced every single piece into the wrong spot: nothing made complete sense.

My whole brain was a haze of fogginess. But, like a lighthouse beacon slicing through the thick fog, there was one thing I knew: I was alone. Utterly and completely alone. Abandoned by the human race, abandoned by any sense of hope, abandoned by any glimpse of mercy. The only thing that had not abandoned me was life itself. But soon even life would be taken from me, when I would be strapped to the chair. And death is no good companion.

From what I could remember, it all started a few hours ago when I was on the way out of the bar and I noticed two rather finely dressed young men. Their suits and velvet ties told me they must have had enough cash between them to set me up for a few days or even weeks. With the hopes of cash in mind, I pulled out my small revolver and bumped into the first guy. He grunted and I slurred into his ear, "Move into the alley!" I nodded my head towards the crooked lane a few feet away.

He backed up a few steps and started moving into the alley; his buddy followed, seeing the black metal of my revolver glint in the street lamp light. They were trying to act calm, but their eyes darted from my face to my gun in fear.
"Hey, buddy, we don't want any problems. I don't have any cash, but take this gold watch; it's all I have."

He started to reach into his coat pocket, but my crumbled judgment and tense hand misjudged his action. BANG! The man with the watch fell back and cried out in pain while the other man started to jump for my gun. BANG! BANG! Two bullets thudded into the other man’s chest; he lay gurgling and gasping on the ground. His lungs were obviously punctured, and he wouldn't have long to live.

I got scared, started to panic, and emptied the rest of my 3 rounds into the first man. He lay still, dead, lifeless. What had I done? I stood there, unable to move. I couldn't think straight; all my body wanted was drugs, and I knew I needed money to get them. I frisked the first man and found no cash, only a gold watch and a few credit cards. I took those. I moved over to frisk the other man but stopped as I heard sirens in the distance.

I had to get out of there. I started to run, but only stumbled a few feet before tripping over a bag of trash in the alley. The sirens were getting closer and my heart pounded faster. Sweat poured down my face. The sirens arrived and the alley was flooded with light; I was momentarily blinded.

"Drop to the ground and put your hands on your head!" the loudspeaker boomed.
I didn't know what else to do, so I did as I was told. A dark figure approached and since I still held the spent gun in my hand, I tried to hit the figure with it. I missed and a hard blow to my head knocked me cold. Only blackness remained.

I woke up in a small room. A very bright light shone down from the ceiling and my head throbbed with pain from the bludgeon's blow. I sat up as far as I could. I was cuffed to the bed I lay in. The bed itself was bolted to the wall and floor. I couldn't quite remember what had happened.

A policeman came into my room and told me I had less then a half hour before I had to be dressed and in the small speed court in the prison hospital. I was still only half-conscious but the guard gave me my clothes and told me to put them on. In less than ten minutes another guard joined the first and escorted me to the court room.

The court room was small. It contained one long table and about a dozen folding chairs. In the middle of the long table sat an aged man with a very stern face. On his right side, a woman sat looking through a rather large folder filled with many documents. On his left side sat a young man who looked to be no older then twenty-three and fresh out of college. He had a very sad face, as if someone very close to him had just died.

The guards sat me down in front of the long table, each taking a seat beside me. It wasn't long before the hearing was begun. The judge had the lady to his right begin by showing the contents of the folder. As the woman began to talk about each document or picture, I realized that this was the evidence against me. The judge looked over each article somberly.
Once he had seen most of the contents he stopped the young lady.
“I want to hear what the guilty party has to say for himself.” His voice was deep and rich. He looked me in the eye, and waited for my excuses.

“I can explain,” I said, my mind still hungering for its drugs. “I was drunk and on crack. It wasn't me who did this crime. I didn't want to, the drugs made me do it, and I needed the money. I didn't have any money.” This made sense to my foggy and unfocused brain; each of my reasons seemed like valid points that no judge could hold against me.

The judge looked me straight in the eye and said slowly, “You've been convicted of double homicide, possession of drugs, robbery, and carrying a firearm you are not licensed to own. Because no one has come forward to claim to know you or to be you relation, we have no reason to have you in a county prison. All evidence is against you, and your own testimony reveals that you do not deny your own crime.” He paused and whispered something to both of his companions. Each nodded their approval. “The verdict: death row. You have 3 hours until you are to fulfill your sentence. There is no reason to lengthen the time before your sentence is to be taken into effect. You've proven that you're only a hindrance to any kind of moral society; therefore you will not be permitted any rights. Your sentence is final.”

With that final remark, he signaled the guards to take me away. I still couldn't comprehend what was going on. Why hadn't the judge listened to me? Why had he been so unmerciful to me? My reasons seemed so valid, so human, but here I was headed for death. I had nothing, no one, and nowhere to go but down.

The guards led me to a small holding cell. One of them unfastened my cuffs and shoved me in the cell, then closed the heavy iron door behind me. I was alone. Utterly and completely deserted.

I waited in silence. Each second seemed to last an eternity as my dark end drew closer and closer. My head was a wreck, and I had a splitting headache. My body seemed to scream with longing for drugs. At least it took my mind of my impending doom.

I paced, sat, or lay in my cell for about two hours. My headache had let up enough for me to get a hold on what was going on. I heard footsteps coming down the hall accompanied by what sounded like a man sobbing. The footsteps drew closer and I went to the small slot in the door to peer through. There, about to pass by my cell, was a man whose face was so blotchy and disfigured from weeping that it was hard to tell who it was. As he drew closer to my cell I recognized him; he was the judge who had unmercifully sentenced me here.

I flew at the door in anger, and screamed at him as he drew near my cell. “You unmerciful judge!!! I hope you're sorry! You don't have a heart!!!” I could see that my words stung him, as foolish as they must have sounded. He looked up from the ground and into my own angry eyes. I spat in his face, expecting him to lash out at me. Instead he spoke softly saying, “Justice is simple: for your wrongs someone must die.” He continued down the hall as I cursed after him. I wanted nothing more than to tear him apart, make him feel the pain he had put me through. My rage was boiling over; my limbs shook with anger.

Then, all of a sudden, as if a wave had hit me, my anger turned to shame. I fell to the ground convulsing and weeping uncontrollably. My body shook as I sobbed and sobbed. The pain from my head and body was gone, and everything seemed to come into focus as if a mental fog was lifting. I could see the evil in my heart. The truth about my state. It was my fault, all of it; no one could be blamed but myself. I had taken the drugs, I had drunk too much, I had pulled the trigger. As each of my wrong deeds dawned on me, it felt as if I were being punched with an iron fist. I was nothing, a nobody, a wretched and wicked man who had destroyed the lives of those who deserved everything.

I wanted to be free of it all. I wanted to get out of this cell, to start over, to begin a new life. But there was no hope. The wrongs had already been committed and my sentence had already been placed on my head.

At this point, the lights in the hall dimmed, as if a large current of electricity were being drawn out. They must be testing the chair for my punishment, I thought. I hated the reminder of my impending doom. My record was now black and rotted through; no good shown through its scared immoral statements.

The weight of my wrongs was too much for me to bear and I lay shaking on the ground, waiting for the warden to escort me to my doom. I could hear him now, his footsteps thumping down the hall like hammer blows to my temples. As he drew closer, my disgusting life started to replay in my head. Each moment was filled with crime, each second a memory wanting to be forgotten. There was nothing good there, but there was no way to turn it off.

The warden stood outside my cell. He fumbled with the keys, then unlocked the door. The light from the hall was so bright my eyes had to adjust. I slowly rose to my feet, knowing this was the end. I had nothing left. No hope, no family, no friends, nothing at all. All I had was a rampant record of crime and deceit.

The warden placed his hand on my shoulder and waited for me to adjust to the light. He stared at me. At first I thought he was scrutinizing me, looking at me like the piece of dirt that I was. But I met his gaze and noticed that something wasn’t right. He had a very strange look in his eye, as if he had just witnessed something inconceivable. I'd never seen this look before; it was odd, eccentric, quizzical, and very unnerving. I shifted my weight, expecting him to grab my cuffed wrists in case I tried anything funny. But he didn't. He just stared at me.

“Sir, who are you?” he asked. What kind of a question was that? But he kept looking at me sincerely, not waiting for an answer.
“You won't believe this. I don't believe this. But your record is clean. It's white as snow.” I looked at him. What kind of horrible joke was this? What did he mean? My record was completely horrid; there wasn't the faintest glimpse of white on it.
“Sir, your penalty has been paid. You're free to go.” At this he unfastened my cuffs and stepped out of the cell. I couldn't believe him.

What did he mean? How could this happen? I had so many questions, but all I could voice was a meager, “How?”
“About five minutes ago, the judge who sentenced you to death was electrocuted in your place. I don't know why he did that. It doesn't make any sense. But he left you a note. It's in this envelope. He told me not to let you open it until you were out of these walls.” At this, he handed me a manila folder and led me out of the cell. He took me to the office where I was given civilian clothes to put on and then escorted to the front gate.

I stood there in front of the prison in a daze. I should be dead. And now I stand in front of the very place that was supposed to have been my death chamber. I looked at the envelope I held in my hand: the only thing besides the clothes on my back that belonged to me. I opened it with eager hands, hoping for an explanation, or something that would tell me I was not imagining all of this. Inside were two pieces of paper. One was a letter, and the other a legal document.
I read the letter. Then the legal document. I couldn't believe what I read. It didn't seem to make sense. I put the documents back into the envelope and started walking to the limousine that waited for me a few feet away.

A new day was dawning, and a few birds were chirping. The sun had just risen and was flooding the field in front of the prison with glorious rays of golden light. The light sparkled on the dew like a million stars. They seemed to celebrate. They celebrated the birth of a new man.
“Home please,” I instructed the driver.
“Yes, Mr. Kettlewitch, Kettlewitch Manor it is.” And off we drove, leaving the prison, and the profligate wretch inside, behind. Never to return again.

The Contents Of the Letter
As Written by Judge Kettlewitch
Dear Sir,

When you read this, you will no doubt be in quite a state of shock. The events that have just taken place will have swept you off your feet (metaphorically speaking). I am enclosing a legal document entitling my estate, large fortune, and freedom to you. In fact, you are no longer the man that shot and killed my two sons and left my grandson (the young man who sat on my right during your trial) fatherless. You are now Jason R. Kettlewitch, one of the richest men in the city. On paper, you are dead. You were killed a few minutes ago, strapped to an electric chair. The old you no longer exists.

I want you to take the life that I have given you and make something of it. The kindness I've shown you should be reflected in every step of your new life.
In front of the prison will be your driver, waiting in your car. You are to get into the car and instruct him to drive you home.

I trust that you will be not be unregenerate, and the only thanks I require is that you live like a changed man. You may never understand what has just taken place. But know this: You were deserted and rotted, and a wealthy judge gave you everything.

Sincerely,

The Now Deceased, Jason R. Kettlewitch

The Letter: The Archives Vol. 3

Dear Brother,

I know it has been a long time since we've talked. The last conversation I remember having with you was an argument on your wedding night. Things didn't end so great for us. Our words said nothing less than how much we abhorred each other. But, due to recent events, I decided it would be a good idea to get back in touch with you. I guess you could say I've had a bit of a revelation. I've been through a lot, and realized a lot too. So, with no further comment, here's what happened.

After the wedding, I was fed up with our family. I decided I wouldn't take their annoying nonsense and inquiries anymore. I wanted my own life, with no authority or clinging leaches of family members. I was tired emotionally, and tired from not sleeping enough at night. I lay awake most nights trying to figure out what I should do and how I should do it. I decided to leave, but not just the family, and not just the city; I decided to leave the country. There were too many sour memories associated with our culture in Tampico, Mexico.

I needed a fresh start, a new city and a new country, and America seemed to call to me as the country of freedom. I'd heard a lot of stories about the land of the USA. I'd even heard that so rich were the poor that even the streets were made of gold. I wanted to see that and live with that wealth, to be my own boss and my own parents, and with nobody to keep accountable to.

I didn't have much to pack and I had enough money saved up to get me my visa, flight, pay for registration fees, and some cheap lodging in the "states." I took a bus up to Mexico City and then flew up to New York City to start the registration for a green card. The flight was OK, but I kept mostly to myself for the whole flight. When the plane landed, I remember the excitement that rose in me at the sight of a new country and the smell of new soil.

Each color and noise seemed so new to me. I'd seen most of the city in pictures, but never heard such noise. The never ending noise, compared to our low key city, it was thrillingly frightening, like a roller coaster. But, this 'roller coaster' never came out of its drop.

The registration office was a large stone building near the edge of the center of the city. The lines seemed to go on forever, like the stripes on the nation's flag. Though the building seemed to be friendly enough, the people inside were far from it. My English was good enough to carry on a basic conversation, but fortunately the receptionist spoke Spanish. Intermingling Spanish and English, she started getting my information and informed me the overall process would take me a few months to be audited. In those three months, I had to prove that I would be a useful addition to the society. I had already lined up a job with an old friend, only to find out his business had failed only a few weeks before my arrival.

After visiting the office, I found a small, grungy apartment to rent out. The rent was just a little over four hundred a month, which I could afford with no problem. After settling in and trying to sleep through the night, I set out to look for a job. After a few days of searching, I found a grocery store that would hire me to do some boring manual labor. My job was basically to take the loose carts from all over the parking lot and move them in front of the store. The manager seemed to think I couldn't do anything else, and just watched me from time to time during the day. I got paid about 6.50 an hour which worked out to be very good. Since I wasn't a citizen, I couldn't open a banking account but my boss was kind enough to pay me in cash.

This went on for a few months, nothing changing except the people around me. The months went by very fast, and finally I received a letter in the mail saying I was approved for a green card. I was now a citizen of the United States. Unfortunately, that's not as wonderful as it's made out to be. The government suddenly took about forty percent of my income to "fund endeavors to improve the city." The only improvements I ever saw were nicer cars for the rich and more items to buy in stores. Never once did I see any improvements being made to the ragged buildings like I lived in. The part of the city I lived in was considered the slums, or the third class. Crime was high, and I never went out past 6 pm. Sometimes I'd hear shots and screams every once and a while.

At first the violent sounds of the city frightened me and made me scared, but I was determined to not cry, and not long for home. But, the more I got used to the city, and this "Land of the Free," I just missed home more and more.

I missed the smells of Mom's cooking, and the grit on kitchen counter top caused by Dad not cleaning off before coming in to eat lunch. I missed the sound of all the family together; I missed the laughter, the debates, and the quirks. I missed the friendliness of strangers, and how everyone knew each other. But the US, seemed like Hell in comparison.

Even though I had a green card, finding a good job was nearly impossible. Either the owners and managers didn't believe that my papers were real (they never said this, but their eyes revealed their thoughts), or they would not even look at them and just tell me to get a day worker job. This made me angry and I couldn't believe that this so called, nonracial and peaceful nation was so hatefully racist. Even my own kind would treat me with disrespect because they were afraid they'd be found out. Most were not legal citizens, and trusted no one. They made those who came in the right way look awful. Because they lied, the citizens indict us and think we all lie and that we all are deceptive.

Over time, this treatment hardened me. I became as hateful as the demerited spawn of this land. Unaccepted, and looked down upon because of the wrong of those who had come before me. I was fed up with America. It was neither friendly nor welcoming. You were thought of as an illegal, illiterate, or unable to comprehend anything. It sickened me, and only two years into my life in the America, I left. I wanted to leave to the only place I knew would accept me: my own country.

I realized something big over there in the "land of the free." I realized that nothing matters more than family. I realized that my family loved me and accepted me because of who I am, and not my color or race. They didn't care if I was a citizen or not. They cared about me. What I took as interrogation, was loving questions. My stubbornness and stupidity had blinded me and I hadn't been able to see the truth.

Brother, forgive me. I beg of you, forgive my hateful and prideful words. I had to be despised in order to see that I was a fool. I looked down on you all these years, but I never should have. You are my brother. You need to be my friend. Brother, please forgive me. Please let me come home, to my family.

Sincerely,

Your brother, Bruno

How The Economy Can Be Fixed: The Archives Vol. 2

There are probably hundreds of different possible solutions to our economies "little" problem. People might come up with ideas as general as "world peace," or as specific as "recycle your newspaper." Maybe some 12 year old in Milwaukee will design a fuel that is both dirt cheap and super efficient. Or maybe the government will truly become Socialist as so many people have said. there are so many possibilities, and so many answers, how can we ever choose the right one.

    I think the best way to fix the economy is by splitting it into three groups, and suing a different idea for each. Each can work independently from the others, but together, they can work even better. Each idea is geared to save money for all parties, and will benefit the global fix as well.

   The first group is the consumer group and there are quite a few different things they can do to service these economic times. The first idea for them is to be more frugal. It worked in the great depression, and now would be a great time to start pinching pennies where we can. My grandmother still recycles anything she can in so that she can save a little bit of money by not having to purchase the same thing multiple times.

     Also recycling things such as cans, paper, and old clothes by putting them in the correct bin. I think MC has done a great job in helping people think about what they're throwing away. Having clearly marked recycling cans/bins in easily accessible locations around the house or in public places, can help the consumer not waste, but recycle. 

     It's not only good for the environment, but also the consumers pocketbook. By recycling more,  producers can put out more "100% recycled" products that will cost less for the companies and the consumers.

     Another thing consumers can do to save money on their part is to cut back on unnecessary expenses, such as DVD rentals, that extra cell phone, a new TV, they may even stop their cable TV service. If you really think about it, you can save a ton of money in the long run by cutting unnecessary costs. 

     Here is an example: Earlier in the semester, I was spending $4.37 on lunch for the three days I came to MC a week. I would get a bag of goldfish, a bottle of Pepsi, and a pack of star bursts. Then I did the math and realized, that I could cut out the goldfish and save $2.50. That would cut my lunch costs in half. I then decided I'd have my mom buy me some boxes of those cracker packs for about $5 each. Those would get me through about 2 weeks per box. And I didn't have to pay for those. Now, i only pay $1.27 for a soda, and the rest I bring from home. I was able to save about $9 a week on lunches alone.

     That is just a small example of how consumers can save money in the long run. Maybe they don't need to get that powdered sugar cereal that is never on sale for the kids. Maybe they can find a different service plan for their cell phone and use email as their main mode of communication. Maybe they can sell that extra car that is rarely used, and not have to worry about paying payments, or insurance on it. When examined carefully, the consumer can save a lot of money, making them able to worry less, and save more. It's an all plus for the consumer.

   Well what about companies like Dell, and Chuck's hardware, and the plastic factory down the road. How can they optimize their business in these hard economic times? Let me name a few ways that might help save their day (and hard to come by cash).

    Recycle, recycle, recycle. Seriously! That can save producers and manufacturers a lot of money. I'm still waiting to see Dell or Lenovo come out with a computer made of completely recycled materials. It would be cheaper, and more durable. Most paper companies use recycled material, and even a lot of tin plants, but what about hardware for the computers or for cars.

    Another Idea for them is learn to be efficient in everything they do. Efficiency saves time, money and effort, and it benefits all involved. It can save a company millions of dollars by hiring an efficiency export to help them maximize productivity.

    A final idea would be for manufacturers to cut costs. Find out what they have that doesn't need to be spent on. Like those $3000 waiting room couches, or the huge plazma TV's in the lunch room. It's work, not an entertainment center. I think it's utterly important to cut material expenses that don't have to do with the product, before you cut employees.

    Consumers, Manufacturers, now what? The sellers or chain stores act as the mediator between the manufacturer and the consumer. So what can they do to boost up sales and gain more customers? Here are a few ideas.

      The first thing would be for them to cut unnecessary costs such as the new gaming computer in the back of the store for the employees to use while on break. Cut the things that don't help the stores purpose. Get the obstacles out of the way, and get customer service and satisfaction to be number one on their list.

      Customer service is going to be the decider when it comes to returning customers. I know my mom won't go to the Walmart in Germantown because she's never had a good experience customer service wise in there. She now shops at target which has better customer service but the prices are a little more expensive. Walmart could be getting much more money if they really worked hard to keep their workers positive and friendly.

     Another example is the Flower Hill Giant. We stopped buying our weekly groceries there because service was deathly slow and customer service was as dull as a rusty nail. We now shop at Bloom and Safeway because the customer service is far better and the service is much faster. I don't understand why companies keep pouring money into more adds, fixtures, cheaper labor, when what they really need to do is step up the customer service. More people will come to their store, and everyone will be happier.

    A third idea is making sure they are selling people what is going to benefit them. I've bought so many things from stores like Target, Walmart, K-Mart, etc, that break within a week. Producers and Sellers need to work on customer satisfaction and making sure the customer is getting a product that is going to do what the box says. Get those horrible cheapo brands off the shelves and replace them with low cost brands that actually give you what they say they will.

  In closing, I think it is important that I say that I do not believe there is just one thing that will help heal the economy. The economy is like a giant puzzle, and a few little kids just messed up a large section of it. No one little piece of that puzzle is going to fix the entire thing. There are thousands of little pieces that all have to go in a specific place in that puzzle. I brought you a few pieces that I think could help fix that puzzle in small ways.
 
   Right now, the manufacturers can't get money unless they have sellers selling their products. the sellers can't get money unless they have buyers. and the buyers won't buy unless they want to shop at that store or buy that product. I really hope these consumers wise up to what is going on around them and be smart enough to be frugal and learn the techniques that people learned to survive with in the great depression.
 
   Suicide rates are high enough as it is with a recession. I'm tired of hearing about my friends neighbors who killed themselves because they had to foreclose or lost their jobs. They leave behind families, and kids. People need to realize that costs need to be cut, and that they need to save money, so that their kids will have a father or mother in 7 years.
 
      Each of us are individuals, with individual roles, ideas, and hopes. We need to learn to work together, as a big puzzle, so that we can fix ourselves. It's the little things that matter, at the heart of each piece. Money doesn't grow on trees anymore, and everybody wants it. What are you going to do to contribute to the healing of our economy?

Future Of Google: The Archives Vol. 1

From its humble beginnings as a class project to its now world renowned position of success, Google has clearly established itself in the empire of the Internet. Now one of the top marketing tools for businesses world wide, and a very helpful tool for the average user, Google has become a must have when it comes to using the web. But now what? With Google's recent release of the Android phone operating system and the budding online video and voice chat, what else is there for Google to do? Let's take a look at some announced and potential future Google Achievements.

Software
Google already has an excellent set of creative software applications for the desktop including Picassa photo manager and Sketchup. But what might Google add to these applications? The first thing that comes to mind is the demand for video and editing software. Audio and video editing software would be an excellent and useful addition to the free tool set. They already have CAD design and editing software for free use and development, and also a strong set of photo management tools, why not add more media applications to complete the wonderful suite. I know a lot of good buddies who would fall more in love with Google if they offer more studio applications for the desktop. (1)
A desktop office suite would also be another grand addition to their free and downloadable desktop applications. Their online suite is very useful for sharing documents between computers and people over the web but it is a feature some will miss due to not being constantly connected to the web. A database application would also be a welcome addition to the already useful office suite.
That leaves for one medium that would be another must for the desktop; a media player. iTunes, Windows Media player, but what about a Google player? It is possible, but Google still hasn't confirmed any such project yet.(2)
Google's release of the Android phone operating system opened up a whole new realm of applications for the portable phone. This medium will be constantly evolving with more and more releases. With one phone operating system released, there are sure to be more. The first operating system is quite buggy and will need to be updated very quickly in order to get all the bugs fixed. But phones aren't the only portable medium out there, netbooks and smart phones also need a piece of the cake. We should expect to see a whole new line of portable applications in the near future. (3)
Blogging, email, IM, and video chat are all in play for the Google online list of applications. What could they possibly offer in addition to all of these things. How about Google audio, or radio? Being able to play any radio station via Google could be a very likely possibility in the near future. To be able to tune into any local or global station at the click of a button. Or to play any song in your library while online would be a wonderful addition. Google has been making it easier and easier for the average user to tap into the amazing world wide web. (4)
The beta release of Google's new web browser, Chrome, sparked a new saga for Google. It's scheduled to be released for more operating systems like Linux, and Mac in the near future. This will enable users across all the major operating systems to enjoy the fast and furious web browsing capabilities of Chrome. (5)

Hardware

The first Google operating system has been released under the name "Android." But this is only a first generation OS and will be soon followed by the next generations. The first OS is still buggy and there a lot of fixes that still must be made, but the next version will most likely fix those errors. Though at this time, seeing that the first OS was just released, it will be a while for the next version to be released.
The OS is open source though, which means that normal people can get the source code and make fixes and additions to the software. (6)

A Google OS? Really? Google has hinted that they are currently developing an desktop operating system that is a derivative of the popular Linux distribution called Ubuntu. the full desktop operating system would be called Goobuntu and is said to be in use by some employees at Google. Mark Shuttleworth on the other hand, who is the founder of Ubuntu, denies that any such OS is in development on the Ubuntu's side. But as the Ubuntu OS is open source, Google can still develop on their own with no copy-left (free to use/change/distribute as long as you give credit where it is due) infringement. (7, 8)

The Company
In the beginning months of 2008, the news that Google and Yahoo are discussing a partnership was announced. They may be merging in order for yahoo to outsource part of its search inventory to Google. This will also enable Google to post some of its ads on the Yahoo side bar. This benefits both companies as it will increase Yahoo's revenue to over 800 million a year, and enable Google to rake in more money form its ever improving ad services. Both companies will profit, and it will make the Google even more powerful then before. (9)

Looking Forward
Google has a lot to look forward to in the coming years. From partnerships to improved phone operating systems, Google will keep making its mark on history. These hard times in the world will only help Google as more companies will take advantage of their low cost and effective tools such as Ad sense, and their email accounts. I know I'll be using Google for as long as I use the computer. Google's tools have proved to be more then effective in completing daily tasks, and I can only expect as much and more from their future.

Works Cited

1) http://www.google.com/intl/en/options/
2) http://googlesystem.blogspot.com/2006/05/if-google-made-media-player.htm
3) http://www.androidapps.com/
4) http://www.google.com/apps/
5) http://www.google.com/chrome
6) http://www.android.com/#utm_campaign=en&utm_source=en-ha-na-us-bk&utm_medium=ha&utm_term=android
7) http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/01/31/google_goes_desktop_linux/
8) http://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-goobuntu-linux-os-ubuntu-distro/2862/
9) http://www.submitedge.com/news/yahoo-google-partnership-announced/

Carnival of Rust: An analysis of genius!

(video is Carnival Of Rust, by Poets of the Fall.)

Now, first watch the video above, and then read the following before watching it again.

(Note: the Following was written for the director of a new musical of "Pilgrims Progress". I wanted to give her my vision for some aspects of a scene called "Vanity Fair" in which Christian is led through a group of Manikins. who are the faces of an empty society. They Want Christian to give up the journey, and join the numbers of masks who were living a lie.)

Here are the things that you should notice in the video.

1st, notice that his video looks weird and meaningless when you first watch it, but it has many symbols and themes that are totally beyond anything you've ever seen (or at least I have ever seen.).

2nd, pay close attention to the make-up of the box man. It's a white, expressionless mask. It's failing its purpose to mask the age, and peeling from age and deterioration. Notice how he seems to carry emotion, yet his eyes are blank and empty, shallow and dead. And yet he still seems comforting and passionate (also note that his words are pretty meaningless, but he says them with great passion--he is enticing but you soon realize that he has nothing to tell you but the pitiful state of his carnival of rust).

3rd: the Cellists. This is fascinating because--as you realize when you look closely--they each have only one arm. They are drawing their bows across their instrument like robots, like that's all they've ever done. Just like the box-man, their faces are empty, covered in a pasty white mask that still seems fresh, but you can see there is nothing there. They are empty, shallow, and misleading. They seem to play a magical tune, but no music is heard, only screaches and whines. They are no longer human, or able to feel emotion. They've been so enveloped by this mask of society, being an attraction, and wanting to be watched and observed. But their story is long dissipated, now they are wasted and empty.

4th, the girl. She is like Christian: curious, like Christian and Faithful. They've discovered an unexpected carnival, and it seems to hold a treasure. The Doll. It's a symbol of all the carnival can offer. To the girl it looks wonderful, beautiful, and their "savvy words" encourage her to use what little riches she has to gain this "treasure". She first wants to hear the man in the box. She hopes she can find some nugget of truth from him. He speaks many words, but they are meaningless. They talk of what the carnival once was when it had life, when it had Christ (through a biblical mindset on it). But the life and energy the carnival once had was gone. The carnival had left Christ for the world, something that promised endless joy. Now the joy and laughter is gone, and all that is left is an empty aged carcass in a glass cage. Trapped for eternity, only to tell with empty hearts of what once was. For without Christ, this carnival is built of decay and mold. It's a carnival of rust.

5th, the doll itself seems to symbolize the only promise they now have to offer. A bit of fleeting beauty, that when taken out into the practical world is useless. Just a trifle and a trinket. Worth nothing. At the end you can see the girl going back into the world of darkness. All her riches are wasted, poured into empty things, and all she has to show for it is a fake beauty in the form of a doll. At the end she looks back to see the little print-out that the box man has given, the only thing he can give. But her body language says that she knows it's worthless.

6^th, the Mask. The gas mask which the girl has on her face represents her naivety (at least in my mind). With it on, her view is constricted, and her sense are blocked. She is unable to breath, taste, and smell the decay correctly because of the mask. It blinds her in a sense, and leaves her open to harm. She even gets a big lollipop, but then realizes that was a waste, as her naiveté is keeping her from enjoying it, she cannot even eat it. Keeping her from being tainted by whatever bitter sweet promise the lollipop holds. She dumps it in the hat with a coin for the cellists.

7^th, the circle. It's everywhere in the video. The hats, the rides, the organization of the stalls. No matter which part you start at in the circles, you end up right where you began. They never end. Every ride in the background is some sort of circular ride. They spin, taking you on a journey that takes you no where. They make you feel as if you were traveling, but it's a lie. The ride she goes on, it turns and turns, but it will end right where she got on. Another wasted coin, or another worthless promise.

8^th, the tattoo, and the carnival hands. The tattoo is what is written all over their hearts, but as you can see, what is written on them, is hardly what is there. The man with the tattoo is ugly, decrepit, and tainted. He no longer even looks normal in human terms. The carnival hands (or side men) are all calling attention to the lie of the doll and their faces say excitement, but their eyes say malice and deceit.

9^th, the last coin. The booth vendor looks at the coin as if it's another win for the carnival, another peddler given to poverty. And tosses it into the register, like so many coins before it. It's just another coin in the tray for him.

10^th, the lizard and the fire eaters. This part was a little vague to me. But a friend brought this verse to my attention:

Psalm 11:5-7 (English Standard Version)
5The LORD tests the righteous,
but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.
6Let him rain coals on the wicked;
fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.
7For the LORD is righteous;he loves righteous deeds;
the upright shall behold his face.

Just another worthless attraction at the carnival. Another chance to waste money to see oddities eat a substance that may consume them in death. But they do it freely, and eat of the fire like it is candy. Almost unaware of the danger it contains. The lizard may be evil. Lurking in the corners and out of the picture, but in clear focus. Slithering and vile, waiting for it's prey. Waiting for the fire eaters to be consumed by their own foolish passions.

11th, the music. Notice the note it ends on, it's like it doesn't want to end, and if you loop the video, it flows perfectly. but when it ends, you want it to keep going. The note makes you feel like you were in the middle of a tale, and then there was "...". It's empty, circular. Like it goes nowhere.

I hope that helps you see where I'm coming from when watching this video. I think it's a very symbolic music video, and surely the best I've ever seen. Without it, the song means nothing. But pay attention to its contrast and similarities to the vanity fair. It's a carnival of vanity, it has vanity to offer, but it's empty. And only attempts to mask the soul decay.

Now: watch the whole video again. But now instead of being bizarre, and disturbing. The video makes perfect sense.