Pot farm found on Google Earth

While using Google Earth, Swiss authorities located a two-acre marijuana plantation hidden within a corn field. The discovery led to the arrest of 16 people and the seizure of 1.2 tons of marijuana. You can't hide from Google Earth!

Quordy, an iPhone app for Boggle Lovers

If you love Boggle and you have an iPhone or iPod touch, check out Quordy. It's one of the few iPhone/iPod touch apps I've actually paid for, and it's one of my favorites. I'm a Boggle fiend, so I was stoked to find this $3 app.

Windows 7 Rocks

I must confess, since installing Windows 7 on my MacBook a couple of weeks ago, I haven't booted to Mac OS X at all. It's not that I don't love Mac OS X, but I've been so happy with Windows 7, that I am using it as my main operating system and don't plan on changing things until August 1, 2009 (when the beta expires). I was experiencing major problems with wireless connectivity under Windows XP on my MacBook (using the Broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter built in to my 13", 2.4Ghz black MacBook running Windows XP under Boot Camp). Wireless connectivity under Windows XP would be intermittent and slow. But, these issues now seem to be mostly resolved with the new drivers that come with Windows 7.

Okay, driver issues are one thing, but what's so neat about Windows 7? One of the nice things that I've noticed about Windows 7, for example, is how it treats recent documents. In prior versions of Windows (including Vista), there is a Recent or Recent Documents item under the start menu. With Windows 7, you simply right-click the program icon on your taskbar (whether the program is running or not), and it instantly displays a list of recent documents that you opened with that program. I'm finding that I am using this feature all the time now!

Having gone from Windows XP straight to Windows 7 beta 1, I am very happy with the slickness, nimbleness, and overall robustness in this beta release. Windows 7 beta 1 does not feel like a beta release, but we have to remember that it still is. Getting used to the new taskbar took me a day or two, but I actually prefer it over the old format with textual labels (even though you can still turn the old taskbar format back on if desired). I have had some issues with iTunes in Windows 7. I get some screen flicker and have had my screen black out while syncing my iPod touch under iTunes. As developers work on new releases of their programs for Windows 7, these issues will be resolved in time. For a beta release, Windows 7 is promising, and will likely give Microsoft some extra traction. Windows 7 beta will be available for download until Feb. 10, 2009.

Snowboarding

Doogie Howser Theme

Neil Patrick Harris and the SNL Orchestra present...

Windows 7 Keyboard Shortcuts

Lifehacker has an awesome post which highlights some of the new keyboard shortcuts for Windows 7. I just installed Windows 7 today on my MacBook natively under Boot Camp (I was previously running it inside the free Virtualbox virtualization software on Mac OS X). I must say that I am very impressed with the logon/logoff and startup/shutdown speeds as well as the overall robustness and slickness of Windows 7. So here are a few handy shortcuts to make your Windows 7 experience even better:

• Win+Home: Clear all but the active window
• Win+Space: All windows become transparent so you can see through to the desktop
• Win+Up arrow: Maximize the active window
• Win+Down arrow: Minimize the window/Restore the window if it's maximized
• Win+Left/Right arrows: Dock the window to each side of the monitor (If you've got dual monitors, adding Shift to the mix (e.g., Win+Shift+Right arrow) will move the window to the adjacent monitor.)
• Win+T: Focus and scroll through items on the taskbar.
• Win+P: Adjust presentation settings for your display
• Win+(+/-): Zoom in/out
• Shift+Click a taskbar item: Open a new instance of that application

(Source: Lifehacker)

Speak & Spell Emulator

Perhaps some of you may remember the Speak & Spell, a talking electronic device that teaches children basic reading and spelling skills. My friend had a Speak & Spell, and for some reason, whenever I hear that computerized voice, it just warms my heart. Well, get ready to go back in time, because Kevin St. Onge has created an online Speak & Spell emulator. There goes my productivity. (Sources: Kevin St. Onge, Download Squad)

Windows 7 Beta Download Available

Microsoft has made a beta version of Windows 7 available for download to the public. Windows 7, the next version of its Windows operating system is built on the same kernel as Windows Vista, but has been touted as being faster than Vista and even Windows XP in some operations. Windows 7 has new features, such as a redesigned task bar, improved power saving features, new themes, faster boot and login times, and the DivX video codec is built-in.

Microsoft initially released a public beta download link, but due to overwhelming demand, had to pull the link down. The Windows 7 beta is now available and once installed will expire August 1, 2009. I hope to publish some Windows 7 screenshots and other feedback soon. (Source: Microsoft)

IT and Business Project Management

In my MBA program this semester I am taking a Project Management class. I read an interesting passage that discussed the challenges of managing and successfully implementing IT and Business projects:

"We in IT/Business do not build bridges, dams, highways, refineries, high rises, or housing developments...IT/Business projects...often involve significant changes to ongoing business processes. IT/Business project work is more like overhauling the transmission of a semi, fully loaded with chickens as it shoots down the interstate at 70 mph."

The power of this statement really struck me as I considered my IT experience. While executing information technology projects at my previous employer (a global Architectural, Engineering and Consulting firm), I sometimes felt like putting my hands into a server or tweaking a process was as dangerous as putting my hands into a spinning transmission, which would likely result in loss of life or limb. Firms are so dependent upon technology that any minor interruption or system change can present a major challenge to successfully completing an IT project. This likely relates to the Quality component of a project, the other three components being Schedule, Scope, and Budget. The author also states, "Seldom can an existing system be disengaged from providing its service to the end users until the new system is fully functional." Success in IT/Business project can be achieved by following sound project management principles, more of which I hope to learn as the semester progresses. (Source: Project Management for Information, Technology, Business, and Certification, p. 6, 17, 19, Gopal K. Kapur)