Cell Phones - The Verizon Voyager and the Apple I-Phone seem to be the snazziest devices out there.
Computer Software: Windows Vista came out. It was awful, and it has really hurt Microsoft. MAC OS X and Linux appreciate the failure of Vista and have been gaining some market share as a result.
Computer Software: This was the year for open source software. Software communities made some big contributions.
Computer Software: Microsoft - I’m not found of the OS, but I have to hand it to Microsoft, they pour dollars into research and produce some interesting things outside of Operating Systems. Check this out: http://research.microsoft.com/displayArticle.aspx?id=1871 It’s hardware, but its also software .. I’ll pop it here for now.
Computer Hardware:
Laptops - This was the year of the cheap laptops. $100 laptops came out (they were actually $200 though and selling on ebay for about $600). There were several other inexpensive laptops that came out as well though. All were low powered and targeted at getting a laptop into everybodies hands.
Laptops - I’ve seen more MAC Laptops this year then ever before. They have a good Operating System and are reliable. Who doesn’t love that?
Hardware:
Gadgets: GPS - HUGE this year, I think everyone got one for Christmas.
Gadgets: IPOD/IPHONE/Video IPOD - Still big. I picked up a video ipod for Rosie, and she loves it.
Gadgets: More disk space fits on smaller devices.
Predictions for 2008:
1) longer lasting laptop batteries
2) Linux and Mac OSX will continue to gain popularity
3) auto automation (things like self parking, etc) will continue. I predict that cars will drive themselves within 12 years. All the technology exists to do it today. It’s only a matter of time.
4) price drops in computer hardware.
5) disk storage - small hand help devices and flash drives will start coming out that store 200 gigs of data. (expect this near the end of the year).
6) robotics - Honda and Toyota are developing robots for the home. I don’t think everyone will rush out and get them, but they are coming
7) google .. we all know that they have been doing research. It’ll be interesting to see what they come out with. Word is they are working especially hard on google cell phones and portable data centers
Ξ December 31st, 2007 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Blog |
Its New Years eve and that means it’s time to reflect on the past year. A lot went on this year. This was my first year being married! I give the experience a thumbs up. Rosie and I have had a bunch of fun this year. We’ve finished our kitchen and bathroom finally and we’re preparing to put our home on the market. We’re not in a super huge hurry to move, but if the right offer comes along we’ll take it. It’s not a great time to be selling, but its a teriffic time to be buying .. I guess it all evens out in the end.
Rosie got her license. This is monumental. Everyone has been waiting for this for years. Rosie was a bit scared to drive, but I was finally able to talk her into taking lessons and getting a license. Now she’s zipping all over the place in her sporty blue car that she calls “zippy”.
Greenstar Systems was a bit more successful then I thought it would have been. The company was started so that when I work as a consultant, I can get paid as a corporation instead of being a W2 or 1099 employee. Essentially, just some minor tax differences. Not a huge deal, but something every consultant should look into. At any rate, side work began coming in at a faster pace and I was ill prepared to handle it all myself. Then when two major software projects came in at once, I was forced to get some help. Having been in the business a while, I knew a few people that I’ve always worked well with, and enlisted their help. We’ve been chugging along ever since. Without even really trying, we’ve obtained a number of steady clients, and we’re all having fun working together. I’m not sure where I want to take the business yet. For now we’re in a holding pattern and just taking care of existing clients. The clients seem to be happy with us, and we have more work then we know what to do with at the moment. Growing the business comes with its own set of problems. We’d had some difficulties getting reliable developers over the summer, so I’m hesitant to bring others in quickly. I think over the next year, things will fall into place for Greenstar Systems on their own.
School - I did OK this year. I got good grades had interesting professors and no real complaints. I’m looking forward to starting back again. Rosie also seems to be doing well. She’s sharp as a tac. We should be finishing up around the same time. Perhaps we’ll throw a big party when we’re done.
I started teaching this year. I love it. I kinda thought I would though. I’ve really learned a lot about presenting complex information to people from a wide range of professional and educational backgrounds. I’ve been asked to teach additional courses which I’m considering. Again, the coming year will determine where I want to take all of this.
The Bank - I started working as a Quantitative Software Engineer this year. I’ve learned a lot and have had the chance to work on some very interesting software.
So, 2008 .. where are we going from here? What are the big goals?
As you can see, 2007 came with a lot of work. The Bank, Greenstar Systems, teaching and school. I spent most of my time working. Seriously, most nights were spent coding till 2am. My goal for 2008 is to have more of a work/life balance. Greenstar is up and running now, I’m going to outsource more of the work to Matt and Eric and handle mostly project management, and customer relationships.
Although I haven’t spent much time at the gym in 2007 because of all the work, I’ve been able to drop some weight because my diet got a lot better. I’ll continue eating better, but get to the gym in the morning too.
My sleep situation. 2007 was virtually sleepless. My goal for 2008 is to go to bed earlier. I’ve always been a night owl, and typically don’t get to bed till 3am, so I can be up at 7am for work. This year I hope to change that pattern.
I’m hoping to sell the house and buy a new one in 2008. Destination - unknown
The Bank. My contract is complete in August, from there I don’t quite know where I’ll be going. I certainly have a few thoughts in mind and any number of things can happen before then. I’ll probably have to settle down with a full time gig. I’ve been under Rosie’s benefits for a while, but I suspect I’ll need to get the benefits in 2008. There’s a ton of employment opportunities out there and its exciting to think about where I’ll end up.
My last goal this year is to go away more often. I rather like going on vacation. Long trips OR long weekends are fine with me. We’re going to Florida next week and we’re thinking of heading to Ireland in June for a wedding, but aside from that 2008 is open so far.
As usual, I suspect I’ll be flying by the seat of my pants in 2008. Now that you’ve read about my resolutions, why not leave a comment and tell me what yours are going to be?
Have a happy and safe New Year.
Best Regards
Biff
Ξ December 27th, 2007 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Blog |
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention .. I’ve been deathly ill for three days. I’m about back to normal now though.
Ξ December 27th, 2007 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Blog |
Well, another Christmas has come and gone now. I’m always sad to see the end of the Holiday, I’ve looked foward to it for so long I hate it to be over already. I wanted to blog a bit about the Christmas Spirit or lack thereof, and I’ve been researching a little bit to get some numbers to support my theory. In truth my findings are inconclusive.
Initially I felt like I was completely numb from Christmas even before the season started. According to this article in the NY Times Christmas [advertising] typically starts the weekend after Halloween, almost two months before the actual holiday. So, for 1/6 of a year we’re celebrating Christmas. How can one possibly stay excited over something for nearly 60 days? Everyone is in such a huge rush to jam consumerism down our throats that they want to be first to market. Christmas at some point began being reported in terms of sales and revenue rather then in terms of charitable contributions, both of which were down this year (in case you didn’t read the attached articles). I won’t drone on and on about how commercial the holiday has become, since everyone over the age of 16 realizes the holiday is a clever ruse to just sell stuff to you, just like Valentines Day, and Halloween.
I noticed that I saw fewer Christmas Lights as well this year. When I looked up the sales of Christmas lights and decorations for this year compared to other years I found that the revenues were not readily available for any of the major companies associated in the business. I then decided that this would provide false/positive data anyway. While my thoughts are that consumer spending on these items are possibly less, comercial spending on these items is probably more. This of course wouldn’t reflect my feelings about Christmas Spirit.
Ok then, what about Christmas Trees instead? Well according to the “National Christmas Tree Association, the number of Christmas trees sold by year are fairly steady. Again this dead ends my theory. The only conclusion I can come to is that I must be a lunatic for looking this stuff up.
Ξ December 24th, 2007 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Blog |
Rosie and I had dinner at Smith and Wollensky on Friday night. We tend to go out a lot and it got me to thinking that there are some really good steak joints in NYC. I should rate them. This is my top three list in order:
1) Smith and Wollensky, simply the best. They make a great steak every time. The deserts leave a little to be desired, but they make the best steak. You can get it cooked any way you want there, even blue. I’ve never had a blue steak before, but you can get it that way there. I always get it rare.
2) Harry’s Steakhouse We were there a few weeks ago, prior to that it’s been a while since I’ve been there. This is my second favorite steak in NYC. Very good cuts of meat.
3) Delmonico’s lands at the number three spot on this list. They are tops for service though. The waite staff is better then all others.
Sure, there are a few people who will say .. but Biff, what about Peter Luger’s. The truth is, I think they are over rated. The three mentioned above are all better.
Ruth’s Chris: They are OK, but I tend to think of them as the TGIF of steak houses. The food is always good, but when you live in NYC, there are higher end places for steak.
Morton’s Steakhouse. The only Morton’s I’ve been to was the one in Great Neck. I wouldn’t go back. I’m sure the food was good, but the crowd was the worst. Lots of neighborhood mafia wannabe’s, old men with 20 year old gold diggers, and middle aged women sitting at the bar hoping to hook up with a rich guy. Basically I would never go back .. why bother when just up the road is …
Bryant and Cooper. This place is out of this world and deserves honorable mention. The best steakhouse I have ever been to on Long Island. It competes with all three that I mentioned in my top three.
Ok .. I gotta get back to work again. Reviewing steak joints doesn’t pay the bills.
Ξ December 24th, 2007 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Blog |
National Treasure: Book of Secrets. Rosie and I went last night. It was ok. We thought the first National Treasure movie was better, but this one was still entertaining. My general thought is, if you like Dan Brown type fiction, then you’ll like this.
Ξ December 23rd, 2007 | → 2 Comments | ∇ Blog |
I love Christmas. I get as excited as the kids do. I love everything about it. Its not really about the gifts for me, I love seeing my family and visiting friends throughout the holiday season. Its about being close to the people you love. I think Christmas really brings people together. When I was a kid I would get so excited, I couldn’t sleep. I’d stay up all night waiting for Santa Claus. I still get that magical feeling on Christmas Eve.
This year is a little disapointing in terms of Christmas Spirit in the community. There aren’t a lot of Christmas Lights up and there isn’t a lot going on in terms of community Christmas activities. I also hate the whole movement to take the christianity out of Christmas. I’m no holy roller (as everyone knows), but seriously, its “Merry Christmas”, not “Happy Holidays”. I respect everyones religion. “Happy Kwanza” if thats what you’re into. Have a great Ramadan if you will, and a sensational Hanukkah if that’s what you want, but its “Merry Christmas” to us. Nevertheless, I won’t let any of this get me down.
So yesterday we saw Rosie’s immediate family. Her sister Annie cooked a ridiculus amount of food. Seriously. It was an endless stream of food coming out of the kitchen. Two turkeys, a ham, creamed spinach, turnips, creamed onions, sweet potatoes, carrot souffle (which was sensational), stringbean casserole, mashed potatoes, broccoli, broccoli rabe, cranberry sauce, lasagna, and probably a bunch of other suff that I can’t think of. Don’t get me started on deserts. I have to hand it to Annie, she has a ton of energy and everything was teriffic. I hope she knows how much we appreciate all the trouble she went to for us. As usual, my favorite part of the day was seeing my nieces and nephews. I get a charge out of them.
Our Christmas plans this year start on Christmas Eve (my favorite night of the year). We’re heading over to see Ann & Joe and their family. The girls are getting big, but still do the Santa Claus thing. On Christmas Day we’ll see my family and then shoot over to Rosie’s Aunt Anne and Uncle Judes place where a lot of people in Rosie’s family tend to gather. Aunt Anne always goes all out in the kitchen as well. Yummy!
I picked up Rosie’s Christmas present today ( i can post that news here since Rosie only makes rare visits to biffsocko.com). In many ways Rosie and I are complete opposites in terms of technology. Basically, my wife breaks anything with buttons. I love her, but doing tech support for her can be .. um .. challenging. At any rate, I took a chance and picked up one of the latest gizmos on the market for her.
welp, gotta run. we’re headed to the movis. We’re going to see National Treasure: Book of Secrets. Since tomorrow is a slow day at work, stay tuned for the review .. right here at BiffSocko.com
Ξ December 21st, 2007 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Blog |
It’s a quiet day today so I added a new feature to the website … MUSIC! If you scroll down about halfway down the page you’ll notice a music player on the left side of the screen. It’s linked to DJ Steve Boyett. DJ Steve can be found at http://www.djsteveboy.com/groovelectric.html. He stores gigs and gigs of (free) music on his server. I think he’s an exceptional DJ and has some super mixes. I’ve been listening to his stuff for several months now. SOOOO .. if you want to listen to some good tunes, swing by biffsocko.com and hit the play button.
I encourage you to make a donation at his website. He does a super job at a great personal expense.
I generally leave my personal laptop at work so that I can get off the Bank Network to check my personal email during the day. This has worked out swell for the last few gigs I’ve been at, until very recently. The Quant group I work with was having a “Complience Review”. Anyone who works at a bank or insurance company knows that this is when company auditors come to your dept. and pick apart anything that they can find wrong.
Apparently my Laptop was not in compliance with company policy because it had the capability to email and send IM’s while I’m in posession of valuable trading information due to my job. I pointed out that the auditors blackberry had the very same capability, but it turns out that they don’t have a policy for that so it’s ok. *sigh* ..
At any rate, being the company man that I am, a agreed to leave my laptop at home. Instead I picked up the LG VX 10000 (Verizon Voyager)
I can now send IM’s, Email, and browse the web from an even smaller device. In many ways I thank the company auditors for introducing me to this device. It’s got a full QWERTY keyboard AND a touch screen (like the i-phone). Sending IM’s and checking email is simple with the full keyboard. When you gotta take care of some insider trading, the Verizon Voyager is the way to go. It’s stelther then a laptop ya know. If I get lost on my way to my broker, it even has a GPS to help get me there. The modem (yup you can hook it up to your laptop and it will give you broadband access for a little more each month) is not supposed to be as fast as the dedicated broadband cards. It’s supposed to deliver about 600kbps (from what I hear), so I’ve decided to keep my broadband card for Internet access from my laptop when I need it.
Overall I’m pleased with my purchase. The product seems to work well and has the option of using the touch screen (which is great for some things) and the keyboard (which I think is better for texting and sending email and IM’s). Web browsing is good and the screen is big enough to use for the most part.
More then anything I’m happy to be in compliance.
Ξ December 17th, 2007 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Blog |
Finals are finished at last. I did OK in my class, but I probably could have done better. I’m not complaining though. The grade I got wasn’t terrible and I got to write a ton of code that I’ll probably end up posting in the next week or two.
On Friday, Rosie and I went out to “View”, a revolving restaurants and lounge at the top of the Marriott Marquis in Midtown Manhattan. We did cocktails and dinner with two other friends. Afterwards we took in an evening of bar hopping.
On Saturday evening we had our usual date with Anne and Joe. We saw a show called Plaid Tidings at the Airport Playhouse. As usual it was a teriffic production. Afterwards, we ate at Applebees, then Rosie and I headed into Manhattan to pick up her cell phone. She’d lost it the night before, but the bartender who found it was kind enough to return it.
Sunday the 16th was my family Christmas. The day that my extended family got together for lunch. We’ve started getting together like this a few years ago, It’s important to see each other for the holidays. With everyone married and starting families, it’s not as easy to get together on the actual holiday as it used to be. I think a lot of families are doing this these days. Rosie’s family is getting together on Dec. 22nd.
On Christmas day I guess we’ll see my parents for a bit and then go to Rosie’s Aunt’s house. She really cooks up a storm. If we have time we’ll run out to see Anne and Joe as well. There’s always a tone of running around to do, but its my favorite day of the year. I stay up all night on Christmas Eve and track Santa Clause on the NORAD Website: Norad Christmas Website. NORAD is the North American Aerospace Defence Command. They keep track of all planes, satellites, space craft; basically anything that enters the air space of North America gets tracked by them. It’s a joint military effort by Canada and the US. Anyway, every Christmas eve they track the path Santa takes around the world. They also take phone calls and give santa updates. The whole thing has a really interesting history. Its really well done and fun to watch.
What are you guys doing for the holiday? Leave a message here to let me know. If I don’t get a chance to talk to you, or I don’t blog untl after Christmas, have a Happy and Safe Holiday!
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