tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20765293579275844502024-03-13T12:47:49.010-04:00you are here.Jesse Palmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12385475052755491513noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076529357927584450.post-89694943397771143382009-11-11T08:03:00.006-05:002009-11-11T08:07:41.820-05:00Twitter Research Complete<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 74px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisRpFKimUkZYwDO4zz0RnHYdA2tvqzuAthy9ipWL_1iUIFtbQOpEHIi2Us-LXIvZyRT7Y8LbRyNwr4X9Zn9doo7faJ2p7MtOS9u6CJzcDhzwWnFuCzRfnN-cTLP0imdueMeRCy69TNchw/s200/twitter.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402831373961450818" /><br />I want to thank everyone for helping me with my research for school. The paper turned out very well, and I got an "A". Thanks again for all your help!<br><br>Jesse Palmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12385475052755491513noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076529357927584450.post-8234348286043840502009-10-05T21:30:00.004-04:002010-01-04T11:25:26.582-05:00Twitter ResearchI'm putting together some research for a little school project, so I put together a short survey regarding Twitter use. It shouldn't take too long. If you get a chance in the next few days to fill this out, please do – I would really appreciate it. Also, if you know any other Twitterers who might be willing to provide some information, please forward this on.<br /><br />You can respond in the comments of this blog.<br /><br />Thanks!<br />-Jesse<br /><br />Twitter Use Survey<br /><br />If you would like to remain anonymous, please exclude your real name and twitter name. I assure you that your identity will not be revealed in my research project.<br /><br />1. Your name:<br />2. Twitter name: @<br />3. Age:<br />4. Occupation:<br />5. Number of years of post high school education:<br />6. Number of years in the workplace:<br />7. Number of years in your current industry:<br />8. To help understand your overall computer knowledge, how would you rate yourself? (beginner, normal office knowledge, programmer,etc.)<br />9. How often do you use social networking sites other than Twitter? (monthly, weekly, daily, multiple times per day) <br />10. About how many tweets on average did you post per day during the past month?<br />11. About how many tweets on average did you read per day during the past month?<br />12. About how many new followers did you obtain during the past month?<br />13. How many Twitter followers do you have in total?<br />14. About how many new Twitterers did you start following during the past month?<br />15. How many Twitterers are you following?<br />16. Did you feel that you were overly distracted from your work (professional, home, school) by Twitter at any time? If so, please explain.<br />17. Give specific examples of knowledge you gained through the use of Twitter.<br />18. Give specific examples of how you used Twitter to increase your productivity, personally and/or professionally.<br />19. Use this space for anything else you would like to share about your Twitter use.Jesse Palmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12385475052755491513noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076529357927584450.post-49329172415934149622009-09-22T16:48:00.004-04:002009-09-22T16:51:56.111-04:00WowsersUnited States demographic profile...<br /><br />To quote a fellow employee, "These are exciting times."<br /><br />Hit the link.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mccrindle.com.au/wp_pdf/Population_Map_USA_McCrindle_Research.pdf">http://www.mccrindle.com.au/wp_pdf/Population_Map_USA_McCrindle_Research.pdf</a><br><br>Jesse Palmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12385475052755491513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076529357927584450.post-21072439854306026102009-08-20T07:25:00.008-04:002009-08-20T07:56:21.329-04:00It's a busy life<a href="http://dbpba.com/pic/yawn.png"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://dbpba.com/pic/yawn.png" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I know, I know. Everyone's life is busy. Well so is mine, and this is my blog, so I can write about it here all I want.<br /><br />Well, first off, my daughter is 10 1/2 months old going on 2 years. Yikes. How has the time flown by so fast? She started crawling almost a month ago, and she's pulling up on the furniture and "<a href="http://life.familyeducation.com/walking/baby/50741.html?page=4">cruising</a>". Soon, she'll be walking. We've already started baby-proofing, but as <a href="http://thebossofone.blogspot.com/">my wife</a> indicated, she now knows how to open the kitchen cabinets, so I'm going to have to install those <a href="http://www.safety1st.com/usa/eng/Products/Home-Safety/Latches-Locks/Details/110-71175-Tot-Lok®-Deluxe-Starter-Set">door stops</a> we bought the other day...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>My wife is working two jobs right now, and taking care of our daughter while I work and try to get through <a href="http://cuonline.cornerstone.edu/degrees/mba">grad school</a>. Needless to say, I couldn't do it without her. (Honey - I love you!) I am about 25% of the way done with the program; the last class is in November of next year. I am learning a lot (and not just going to school, <a href="http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2009/08/education-at-the-crossroads.html">an important difference Seth Godin points out in his blog</a>).</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I have managed to find time to golf this summer, and I've probably been out about 10 times this year. I wish I had unlimited time and money for golf because my scores are falling, and I'm really enjoying it. I think my wife would kill me if I golfed any more...<br><br></div>Jesse Palmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12385475052755491513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076529357927584450.post-88639769881362502052009-04-26T13:09:00.004-04:002009-08-20T07:57:01.053-04:00Twitter for Business? Help!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://twitter.com"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 143px;" src="http://static.twitter.com/images/twitter_logo.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />If you didn't know, I'm pursuing my MBA.<br /><br />I am currently working on a research project trying to discover the effects of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twitter">Twitter</a> on productivity at work. Here is a <a href="http://www.chrisbrogan.com/50-ideas-on-using-twitter-for-business/">good article</a> about how people can get started using Twitter for business.<br /><br />I started with this preliminary question: What is the effect on employees’ productivity if they are utilizing social networking tools for work-related purposes at work? Does it result in greater productivity, or is it just a waste of time that results in more internet surfing?<br /><br />My problem statement has been revised to read as: How can use of the social networking and micro-blogging service Twitter increase productivity in the workplace?<br /><br />My hypothesis is that the use of Twitter actually decreases the amount of time necessary to disseminate ideas and also promotes quick and easy conversations. I'm sure there are more benefits, and some are outlined in <a href="http://www.chrisbrogan.com/50-ideas-on-using-twitter-for-business/">the article</a> from above, especially under the heading <span style="font-style:italic;">Some Positives to Throw Back</span>.<br /><br />Please, if you have any thoughts on this topic, or articles to share, respond in the comments section.<br /><br />On a side note: You can follow me on Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/jessepalmer">@jessepalmer</a><br><br>Jesse Palmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12385475052755491513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076529357927584450.post-41965123420166816302009-02-17T22:29:00.006-05:002009-02-17T22:50:08.244-05:00QuarterassedMy new term is "quarterassed".<br /><br />We've all heard of <a href='http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/halfassed?qsrc=2886'>halfassed</a> work, but it's time to recognize the new low - quarterassed.<br /><br />Think of it as halfassing a halfassed job.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dZe64ep_yggUo0IQMswJyDWlz0wSB4wpL6DvsgYBRgLAKyw0QWCdWDPVqR0OBK_-TwIxBC8dkIGR3Tuq5HxmUF1CjyYgnSt9a0VtGsjj9FKo3RIfLiOVhc1e-Z06DVV4tvi2E-JlVMM/s1600-h/i-has-a-butt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dZe64ep_yggUo0IQMswJyDWlz0wSB4wpL6DvsgYBRgLAKyw0QWCdWDPVqR0OBK_-TwIxBC8dkIGR3Tuq5HxmUF1CjyYgnSt9a0VtGsjj9FKo3RIfLiOVhc1e-Z06DVV4tvi2E-JlVMM/s400/i-has-a-butt.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303978283334823394" /></a><br><br>Jesse Palmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12385475052755491513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076529357927584450.post-52767791048185246792009-02-10T12:34:00.008-05:002009-02-10T12:51:20.896-05:00The Root Beer Stand (2009)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaBnV5bDSuMlYQtGkdNlgZnpzoIX-m8pjBkVJAlib2vy2lmGtbI500E2mCCeEy_v9oSRal0dO4FvdXIbdSLv1ZdbZv3zYTZIBtGHjys0WqauI5oi55y9Qk4CNxkJnsbZZUfArbP1F6MI/s1600-h/1.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaBnV5bDSuMlYQtGkdNlgZnpzoIX-m8pjBkVJAlib2vy2lmGtbI500E2mCCeEy_v9oSRal0dO4FvdXIbdSLv1ZdbZv3zYTZIBtGHjys0WqauI5oi55y9Qk4CNxkJnsbZZUfArbP1F6MI/s400/1.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301226245885903506" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=l&hl=en&geocode=&q=the+root+beer+stand&near=Kalamazoo,+MI&ie=UTF8&ll=42.264162,-85.563111&spn=0.014609,0.033431&z=15&iwloc=A&om=0">The Root Beer Stand</a> opened yesterday. I <i><b>had</i></b> to stop by after work for a chili-cheese dog with the works.<br /><br />Excellence in a bun.<br /><br />The prices went up $0.10 across the board from <a href="http://jessepalmer.blogspot.com/2008/02/root-beer-stand.html">last year</a> (an average per item increase of 6.5%). Seems about right.<br><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6C9zP_Pa-w_tln8uJdol1XoIYQm-oh72MPEWfhZF2U-3B3MPmj4mDmGxKFqhM3r-HjS7rCIgWolKL-3bBnBLxTOrSH77_GxSexTmYoZ1VvLfOoMPdxIJmu6XjBRP07HNBzteVi-IbmmE/s1600-h/2.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6C9zP_Pa-w_tln8uJdol1XoIYQm-oh72MPEWfhZF2U-3B3MPmj4mDmGxKFqhM3r-HjS7rCIgWolKL-3bBnBLxTOrSH77_GxSexTmYoZ1VvLfOoMPdxIJmu6XjBRP07HNBzteVi-IbmmE/s400/2.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301226360562551794" /></a>Jesse Palmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12385475052755491513noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076529357927584450.post-1906010145948394692009-01-29T09:08:00.004-05:002009-01-29T09:17:19.213-05:00iPhone 3G's Sell-Ability<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNyFIuEd80GvtIKGYXhyphenhyphenArsTAqee-DMbzj8hspvg0TmruJ8Rj3getGh5weKJJ6eeKn1yBfTlGvbdm1Vn_ex1mU99oyqs3staMZuVTqD1ykRHDZMu_f5-ffdB7o6jk7kiItCIfkvSvhlQ/s1600-h/million-sold-graphic-footnote-storm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296717753525900098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 227px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNyFIuEd80GvtIKGYXhyphenhyphenArsTAqee-DMbzj8hspvg0TmruJ8Rj3getGh5weKJJ6eeKn1yBfTlGvbdm1Vn_ex1mU99oyqs3staMZuVTqD1ykRHDZMu_f5-ffdB7o6jk7kiItCIfkvSvhlQ/s400/million-sold-graphic-footnote-storm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This is an amazing sales chart I saw on my <a href="http://www.engadget.com/">endadget</a> rss feed. It shows how many days it took to sell a million of these handsets. There's not much more to say. Amazing.<br /><div></div>Jesse Palmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12385475052755491513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076529357927584450.post-73191369903776040792009-01-28T15:50:00.002-05:002009-01-28T15:56:56.704-05:00Thank Goodness for the House of Reps<div>The House of Representatives defeated the bill to delay the DTV transition after it was unanimously passed by the US Senate just days ago. It would have been a <a href="http://jessepalmer.blogspot.com/2009/01/stiffling-progress-us-senate-does-it.html">huge mistake</a> to do this. The House of Reps is now my favorite part of government.</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296451179019164706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 366px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVl1A38RhmYxMDQaDBQ9cIWQWpTCrSlc8a687EA9mIaYZEwdLn7_DxD4hwiOeFEJRaj8wQEo01ITBCKKmY2F0rcMMqOH1cpyqNIQXupqaJSkLVa3UAh907GHskv39Y5NbN70HmvSrB2Ag/s400/old-tv-with-calendar.jpg" border="0" /></div>Jesse Palmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12385475052755491513noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076529357927584450.post-51874610257795010702009-01-27T07:18:00.009-05:002009-01-27T12:17:05.286-05:00Stifling Progress: The US Senate Does it AgainUPDATE: 12:10 PM EST - I spelled "stifling" incorrectly. <a href="http://www.iblamegeorgebush.com/">I blame George Bush</a>, and <a href="http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/#feature-vsie">Internet Explorer 6</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9Kb5yMfTeIHTEs9EVuLkcxILNFUnaBIhQWlZpDPn64aVk_k9M-c0b_ge8yE9n-3WHQUKxIepfYarUi_harRTX9L3BRxiu7E53tTq6gv6Um9ljPGX4Oji598d5unQ_P93WccCXYkBGB8/s1600-h/rt_converter_box_090126_mn.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295950103442086418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 239px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9Kb5yMfTeIHTEs9EVuLkcxILNFUnaBIhQWlZpDPn64aVk_k9M-c0b_ge8yE9n-3WHQUKxIepfYarUi_harRTX9L3BRxiu7E53tTq6gv6Um9ljPGX4Oji598d5unQ_P93WccCXYkBGB8/s400/rt_converter_box_090126_mn.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLLMOywSI0oiaPMc4goCPsD_Re3JvSQoaqBdHrSn-P21ZOFjZZjv4n9besJg8R3hyygJjsKiAz1JbWYSF5pKzXZHcKlQCYbMJL0rqCq6BO83yGHVvYUWqGfS1BhlsrjwHEfkT6FqA1KM/s1600-h/rt_converter_box_090126_mn.jpg"></a></center><br />The US Senate <a href="http://uk.reuters.com/article/regulatoryNewsTechMediaTelco/idUKN2641480720090127">passed a bill yesterday</a> to delay the digital TV switch. It was originally scheduled for February 17th. However, it has now been switched to June 12th of this year. Huge issues with the coupon program are partly to blame for the delay. There is also a fear that the poor and those in rural areas will be without TV come February.<br /><br />The more likely reason: Telecom lobbyists in Washington are pushing for a delay so AT&T and Verizon will have <a href="http://uk.reuters.com/article/autoNews/idUKTRE50M4Y920090123">longer licenses </a>on the airwaves they bought at auction last year. Other lobbyists were against the delay. <a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hlGcM0ZxYV5dDtZR_9xfCPZnkFaAD95T4LV80">Hmm...</a><br /><br />I warned of how bad the transition was going to be <a href="http://jessepalmer.blogspot.com/2008/12/dtv-transition-will-be-bad.html">back in December</a>. I couldn't believe the wait for my coupons. I requested them in early December, and didn't receive them until last week.<br /><br />The problem with this delay is that it also delays the possibility of seeing <a href="http://jessepalmer.blogspot.com/2009/01/us-broadband-access.html">rural wireless broadband access</a> any time soon. Many Americans are "left in the dark" when it comes to high speed internet access.<br /><br />Obama supports this delay, so there's no chance of a veto...Jesse Palmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12385475052755491513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076529357927584450.post-16287697999296080532009-01-25T12:27:00.000-05:002009-01-25T12:28:04.316-05:00Don't forget about the charities!Here's an analysis I wrote for a recent class. It outlines the available financial performance measures for charities. One of the most comprehensive and widely accepted organizations rating the financial performance of charities is <a href=http://www.charitynavigator.org/>Charity Navigator</a>.<br /><br />I currently volunteer on a limited basis for a charitable non-profit organization called <a href=http://www.kalamazooanimalrescue.org/>Kalamazoo Animal Rescue</a> (KAR). I did more in the past fostering animals, but I still manage their <a href=http://www.myspace.com/kalamazooanimalrescue>MySpace page</a>. I've seen firsthand the struggles faced with an organization like this. It is very difficult not to want to take on every charity case there is, especially the heart-breakers. However, the reality is this: the heart-breaking cases are expensive.<br /><br />The section "Tough Ratings or Poor Charities?" is particularly relevant to an organization like KAR. <a href=http://www.charitynavigator.org/>Charity Navigator</a> does not rate KAR, most likely because they only rate charities with annual operating budgets over $500,000. I think it would helpful if smaller charities were rated. It would help them focus on the things that are important, and will give the organization more access to donors who regularly check the site.<br /><br />In this economic crisis, these organizations are hurting financially. This necessitates their leaders to run them more like businesses and less like charities.<br /><br />--------------------------------<br />Jesse T. Palmer<br />January 20, 2009<br />Cornerstone University - MGT-441<br /><br /><center>Week Three Assignment – Wall Street Journal Article Summary</center><br /><br />Bialik (2008) describes some of the challenges of reporting financial performance of charities. Unlike stocks, charities have no single performance measure that gives a good representation of the success or failure of the charity. There has been some work done to try to formulate a better way to rate charities, but the task has proven to be too daunting.<br />The non-profit financial world has been said to be much more complex than the for-profit world. For example, food banks spend less than 2% of their budgets on administrative costs, while the average charity spends nearly 9%. These and other differences can make it difficult to maintain objectivity when an organization rates a non-profit’s fiscal standing.<br /><br /><center>Existing Research</center><br />Potential donors will research a charity before donating to it. They can do this through a popular site called Charity Navigator. The site rates more than 5,000 charities. It gives them a rating from zero to four stars, relative to the charity’s peers. The ratings come from many areas, for example – administrative costs. Charity Navigator is the quickest way for anyone to research the performance of many charities.<br /><br /><center>Rating Issues</center><br />There is a major problem with the existing ratings scales. It has caused some charities to become very focused on it. They have made decisions to only focus on the things that are rated, and neglect the rest. In this regard, the ratings system has hurt the outcome of some charities.<br /><br />One of the ratings deals with the amount of savings the charity maintains. This restricts some charities from releasing their funds as they should. Funds are held that could otherwise benefit those who the charity is there to help.<br />Some charities have even reallocated expenses to make the ratings better. This has raised some concerns because it stretches the definitions for the spending accounts. This does not really affect the good that the charity performs, but can falsely raise their ratings. These false high ratings can affect other charities, and reduce the amount of donations they receive.<br /><br />For others, the ratings system has proven to be a source of motivation to perform better. These charities take the ratings as a great way to see where they can become better at what they do. It is a source of outside opinion to help the charity improve and see things that they may not be able to see from within.<br /><br /><center>Tough Ratings or Poor Charities?</center><br />Some charities have a hard time with the ratings given to them. There are charities that are so focused on their purpose that they lose sight of their financials. These “bad charities with heart” (Bialik, 2008), are doing great things. However, if they ultimately fail to maintain the funds to survive, they will not be helping anyone.<br />I personally have been involved with a charity that had great intentions, but poor financial management. I was involved with an animal rescue in Kalamazoo for a few years. It was always very difficult for people to make the hard decisions that may neglect or kill an animal, but save the charity a lot of money. The members of the charity had great hearts, but did not realize that their decisions were running the charity into the ground.<br /><br /><center>Single Rating Skepticism</center><br />Bob Ottenhoff feels that there is no single measure that is perfect for rating every charity, like a p/e ratio for a for-profit company. For now, the best way to judge a charity’s performance is to look at the available ratings. Ultimately, a donor’s money goes to what they believe in. It is often hard to separate business of the charity from the heart of it, but nonetheless, it is necessary.<br /> <br /><center>References</center><br />Enrich, D. (2009, January 10). Citigroup Takes First Step Toward Breakup --- Pushed by Federal Government, Beleaguered Giant Pursues Brokerage Venture With Morgan Stanley; Robert Rubin to Retire. Wall Street Journal, pp. A.1<br /><br />Harvard Business Essentials. (2005). Strategy: Create and Implement the Best Strategy for Your Business. Boston: Harvard Business School Publishing Corporation.Jesse Palmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12385475052755491513noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076529357927584450.post-68672067158220036422009-01-23T10:36:00.003-05:002009-01-23T11:06:57.239-05:00This. Is. Amazing.<a href="http://www.davidbergman.net/">David Bergman</a> over at <a href="http://www.davidbergman.net/blog/">All Access</a> created an amazing digital <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panorama">panorama</a> combination shot of the inauguration on the mall. It is comprised of 220 digital photos, taken with a <a href="http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=144&modelid=17624">Canon G10</a>, controlled by a <a href="http://www.gigapan.org/">GigaPan</a> robotic arm, and stitched together with <a href="http://www.gigapan.org/">GigaPan</a> software. It ended up at 1,474 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megapixel#Megapixel">Megapixels</a>, and the final product was almost 2 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gigabyte">Gigabytes</a>!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.davidbergman.net/blog/2009/01/22/how-i-made-a-1474-megapixel-photo-during-president-obamas-inaugural-address/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9e7dggCqZxgtzJR_aIuDvaQB3iqflGHc04c0XInC8THZ97VXjPNCZH0eE6d6Jp0mXBrkfMUXV51I3MqdpIhYrpHA8n0bpZooVz3hamjP5dduudG3uGdLE7iA35gzuEds3Lj9vAvAp01g/s400/Bergman+Gigapan+Inaug09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294520584990643250" border="0" /><br />Click here</a> to check out the shot on his blog. The controls are identical to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_maps">Google maps</a>, so zoom in, zoom out, and pan are all fair game. If you were there, try to find yourself, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Where%27s_Waldo%3F">Where's Waldo?</a> style!<br /><br />All I can say is: Wow! I could explore this for hours!Jesse Palmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12385475052755491513noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076529357927584450.post-26332797482967572052009-01-14T10:40:00.003-05:002009-01-14T10:42:24.631-05:00US Broadband AccessThe United States isn't even in the <a href="http://www.internetworldstats.com/dsl.htm">top 20</a> for in-home broadband use, even though we are the <a href="http://www.internetworldstats.com/top20.htm">second highest user</a> of the internet behind <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China">China</a>. Ten percent of Americans don't even have an option for broadband access. This is primarily in rural areas. It's been a long time since I had dial-up access, and I would be sad if this was my only option. This will hopefully be changed by the use of the white spaces opened up by the television frequencies that were auctioned off earlier this year.<br /><br />Unfortunately, the FCC cancelled their recent meeting that was to be devoted to discussions about the wireless broadband movement in America. The reason it was cancelled: more planning was required for the digital television transition scheduled for February 17, 2009. (Good luck getting a converter box coupon <a href="https://www.dtv2009.gov/ApplyCoupon.aspx">here</a> - they're almost out of money, and there's at least a 60 day waiting list)<br /><br />University of Michigan Law Professor Susan Crawford likens broadband internet access to other utilities such as water or electricity as a necessary commodity for surviving and thriving in this world. Susan Crawford spoke at the <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97692002">Tech Policy Summit </a>in Los Angeles and is advising the Obama/Biden transition team regarding the FCC.<br /><br />What we need here: More broadband internet companies. It's hurting us to have so few options. The satellite dish options are fairly expensive, leaving just two options for most - their local cable and phone company. Other world countries have many more competitors, which increases the offerings and decreases the prices.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.dailytech.com/Bush+Administration+Opposes+Free+Internet+Plan/article13655c.htm">Bush administration opposes Free Broadband</a>Jesse Palmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12385475052755491513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076529357927584450.post-38276379050498860212009-01-02T22:55:00.005-05:002009-01-02T23:14:32.516-05:00iPhone Google App Secret MenuCheck this one out. The developers at Google put some secret options in their Google App for iPhone. From <a href="http://justanotheriphoneblog.com/wordpress/2009/01/02/check-out-the-secret-bells-whistles-in-google-mobile-iphone-app/">Just Another iPhone Blog®</a>:<br /><br /><blockquote><p>To reveal the Bells and Whistles section, you need to continuously swipe upwards on the ‘About’ button on the Settings page for the app. This should show you Bells and Whistles as an extra menu item. From that menu you can:</p> <ul style="clear: both;"><li>Change the theme color of the app</li><li>Change the default sound (to a monkey or a chicken)</li><li>Choose a waveform to appear when you speak</li><li>Set whether to have links open within the app</li></ul> <p style="clear: both;">Not a huge new range of settings, but better than a kick in the teeth, and sounds like the Google Mobile team had a lot of fun adding these.<br /></p></blockquote><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLEgRFyJIA-3z4GYZqyaLWUQ42_eI9EdK9duImeS7jZ7V0SAfEw4kr14DOhKesXC8L0k45L1Vp6U3zdI4nq6t9PlkJjlb1jZnBYgBNyysunXZASPNc1VOmZzPddJKL2lI-iAEkpXulIU/s1600-h/photo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLEgRFyJIA-3z4GYZqyaLWUQ42_eI9EdK9duImeS7jZ7V0SAfEw4kr14DOhKesXC8L0k45L1Vp6U3zdI4nq6t9PlkJjlb1jZnBYgBNyysunXZASPNc1VOmZzPddJKL2lI-iAEkpXulIU/s400/photo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286914281741413890" /></a><br />I prefer the bright green theme color with the chicken sounds.<br /><br><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTpNeDeF3U4qIZEYk0mlpdH5QTvmRv-w6ghHX_0EgLvBXgQqm1rZdzvu_ft5kgwswsWVNTAWtjwIQCDpeWdWhJ3aAOnxQHtC-3shsGpizbFNiw0dXfEik6ueoc0K5fffKXx3jSiHLQl4/s1600-h/photo(2).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTpNeDeF3U4qIZEYk0mlpdH5QTvmRv-w6ghHX_0EgLvBXgQqm1rZdzvu_ft5kgwswsWVNTAWtjwIQCDpeWdWhJ3aAOnxQHtC-3shsGpizbFNiw0dXfEik6ueoc0K5fffKXx3jSiHLQl4/s400/photo(2).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286914936076920626" /></a>Jesse Palmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12385475052755491513noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076529357927584450.post-15975595650387936402008-12-22T12:56:00.000-05:002008-12-22T12:56:19.965-05:00DTV Transition Will Be Bad<div>More planning was required for the digital television transition scheduled for February 17, 2009, so the FCC canceled their planned discussions of the wireless Broadband revolution. (By the way, don't forget to send for your digital to analog conversion box coupons <a href="https://www.dtv2009.gov/ApplyCoupon.aspx">here</a> - it took me less than a minute.)</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>The problem with the proposed transition is the horrible job they have done in education about the changes, and the converter box program. They should be automatically sending the converter boxes to every household in the United States. These things probably cost a dollar to make (even though they are selling for $50!). From what I've seen, many of these boxes are very poor quality - like any cheap product made overseas.<br /><br />With the fast-approaching Presidential transition, there couldn't be a worse time to be turning everyone's TVs off. Obama has quite a set of tasks in front of him to start the much needed economic revolution, and television is still the best way to get the word out. While he did a good job in the campaign reaching out to the younger generation via texting, the older generations will largely be left in the dark for at least a few days after the transition.<br /><br />The good and bad about the DTV transition is that the US Government will send out 2 coupons to each household good for $40 towards the necessary converter box. I know I'm not alone in saying that that won't even cover half the TVs in my house (we have 5). Others I've talked to about this have as many as 10 TVs in their houses. So again, another reason the DTV transition will be bad - in this slow economic time, let's spend $50 per US TV on overseas-made converter boxes. Good plan.<br /><br />Has anyone heard of an American made DTV convertor box? I'm still researching...<br /></div>Jesse Palmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12385475052755491513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076529357927584450.post-56911634781949141602008-12-22T12:20:00.003-05:002008-12-22T12:26:43.049-05:00Happy Hanukkah (Chanukah) Everyone!Here's your yearly dose of Adam Sandler's classic, the Hanukkah Song. Hanukkah started today, or yesterday at sundown, I'm not sure.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Vrd9p47MPHg&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Vrd9p47MPHg&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Jesse Palmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12385475052755491513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076529357927584450.post-66093279256416022862008-12-13T14:43:00.004-05:002008-12-13T15:48:30.154-05:00Tell Cable to Shove it!I have finally officially said "screw you" to <a href="http://www.charter.com/Visitors/Home.aspx">Charter</a> cable in Kalamazoo. I have wanted to do this for a while, I just couldn't bring myself to give up my <a href="http://jessepalmer.blogspot.com/2008/08/charter-cable-and-big-ten-network.html">college football</a> games, and <a href="http://moxi.com/moxi/home.jsp">DVR</a>. After a year of debating, I finally canceled my service, and ordered a 768K DSL line from <a href="http://www.att.com/">AT&T</a> for <a href="http://www.att.com/gen/general?pid=11575">$20/month without a home phone</a>. I am very happy with the cost - VERY happy. I was paying nearly $100 for Charter's internet (5MB) and basic digital service (under 100 crappy reception channels) with one DVR - and that was a promo price! The DSL line is definitely slower than the cable, but I barely notice it when I am trying to stream off sites like <a href="http://www.hulu.com/">hulu.com</a>. Every once in a while, I have to pause for a few seconds and resume the program. But for savings of $80/month - I'll deal with that! I can watch most of what I watched before on cable via the internet or over the air on the TV. With AT&T, you can even stream many of the <a href="http://www.espn360.com">ESPN sports events</a> to your computer. <a href="http://www.apple.com/itunes/whatis/">iTunes</a> also has a lot of free programming.<br /><br />I can even watch it all on the TV! Both of our laptops have S-Video outs and I run stereo sound to the TV via the headphone or SPDIF jack and an RCA Y-connector.<br /><br />More people need to start doing this and tell big cable to shove it. We all could use a little more money in our pockets (and a little more time for reading).<br /><br />So here it is: Screw you Charter! Get with the times, lower your prices, and start offering better quality digital and high-def feeds or you will lose many more customers. <a href="https://uverse1.att.com/un/launchAMSS.do">AT&T's U-verse</a> is going to be your demise. Good-bye!<br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 202px;" src="http://digital-tv-review.com/images/AT_T_U-verse-resized200.gif" border="0" alt="" />Jesse Palmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12385475052755491513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076529357927584450.post-59710206432806494632008-12-09T21:10:00.003-05:002008-12-09T21:16:53.453-05:00Sorry for the disappointment...This blog is not about that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_Palmer">Jesse Palmer</a>, it's about <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/8/96/9a9">this one</a>. I'm sorry if I've disappointed you, but that's life.<br /><br />Have a great day.<br><br><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_Palmer"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 375px;" src="http://www.buddytv.com/articles/Image/The-Bachelor/jesse-palmer-retire.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br><br>Jesse Palmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12385475052755491513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076529357927584450.post-35553898753181997102008-08-28T12:15:00.003-04:002008-08-28T12:50:20.075-04:00Charter Cable and the Big Ten Network<center><a href="http://mvbuckeye01.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/cable_big_ten_071031_ms.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://mvbuckeye01.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/cable_big_ten_071031_ms.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></center><br /><br /><strong>Finally</strong>, <a href="http://www.charter.com/Visitors/Products.aspx?MenuItem=2">Charter</a> has negotiated with the <a href="http://www.bigtennetwork.com/">Big Ten Network</a> to give me my non-stop college football action. This is really the only reason I have cable TV anyway. I really enjoy watching college football. In 2006, the BTN came out, and stole a bunch of the good games. Cable couldn't get their heads out of their arses and pay BTN the $1 per subscriber they wanted. According to <a href="http://www.mlive.com/news/kzgazette/index.ssf?/base/news-30/1219935029178000.xml&coll=7">mlive</a>, Charter finally got their act together, and I will have the BTN as early as this Saturday at noon. This weekend's <a href="http://msuspartans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/msu-m-footbl-body.html">MSU</a> and <a href="http://www.mgoblue.com/football/">U of M</a> games aren't on the BTN this week; so, if Charter doesn't make the updates by gametime this weekend (I wouldn't be surprised) I won't be out of luck.<br /><br />The BTN is the result of a 20-year partnership between the <a href="http://bigten.cstv.com/">Big Ten</a> (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Ten_Conference#Members">eleven</a>) and <a href="http://bigten.cstv.com/">Fox</a>. It's been on the <a href="http://www.directv.com">dis</a><a href="http://www.dishnetwork.com/">hes</a> since the start, but cable was slow to adopt, apparently holding out for a good deal, completely disregarding their customers. Personally, I nearly left cable like <a href="http://comcastmustdie.blogspot.com/2007/11/customer-disservice.html">many others</a> because of this issue.Jesse Palmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12385475052755491513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076529357927584450.post-63632053748571649912008-08-27T12:40:00.004-04:002008-08-27T12:47:47.528-04:00The Thirteen Year PlanI've been doing a lot of research on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MBA">MBA</a>s lately. With the fast-approaching completion of my undergrad degree (February 3rd, 2009 - not that I'm counting down the days or anything), I have been trying to decide what to do next. The logical choice for me would be to continue the same path and pursue an MBA. While I might be happier with an engineering degree, I can complete an MBA program much quicker.<br /><br />MBA programs seem to be gaining popularity with people from all walks of life. Some are enrolling in Executive MBA programs to continue working in their executive capacities while attending school. Some students who finish their undergrad degrees elect to continue on to get an MBA before going into the workforce. I do not recommend this. Employers do not want to hire 20-somethings with MBAs and no legitimate work experience for any decent jobs. That is, of course, unless you consider <a href="http://www.gapinc.com/public/Careers/careers.shtml">management at the Gap</a> as a career goal.<br /><br />My approach was a little different. I started at the <a href="http://www.kvcc.edu/index_kvcc.asp">community college</a> straight out of high school. It took me five years, but I graduated with an Associates in Business Administration. After a two year stint in the pre-engineering program at a <a href="http://www.wmich.edu/ece/">state university</a>, I decided to attend an <a href="http://pgs.cornerstone.edu/degrees/bachelor/management/courses">adult learning program</a> at the satellite location of <a href="http://www.cornerstone.edu/">another university</a> to get a Bachelor's in Business Management.<br /><br />While I am nearing the end of a <em>ten year</em> road to a Bachelor's degree, I don't consider myself in a bad spot. I have gained great business and corporate experience with three great companies along the way. <a href="http://www.coca-cola.com/">1</a> <a href="http://www.oldnavy.com/">2</a> <a href="http://pfizer.com/home/">3</a> It's time to figure out the next chapter in my life, and I don't think I'm alone:<br /><br />"While the largest spike in applications is in full-time MBA programs, applications are also on the rise in the part-time and executive MBA programs. GMAC's [Dave] Wilson predicts that the part-time and executive MBA programs will be the next to see a significant jump in application volume because they largely cater to applicants who want to stay in their current jobs. "As the slowdown in the economy continues, we're going to see a shift to the part-time programs because people aren't going to want to leave work if they have a good job," Wilson said." <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/content/aug2008/bs20080826_158181.htm">ref</a><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.bullnotbull.com/gallery/images/george-bush-harvard-mba.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://www.bullnotbull.com/gallery/images/george-bush-harvard-mba.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></center>Jesse Palmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12385475052755491513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076529357927584450.post-37459109349375782982008-08-26T09:03:00.003-04:002008-08-26T09:28:06.293-04:00My Quest for iPhone 3G: Part IVI never did update the blog with the outcome of the <a href="http://jessepalmer.blogspot.com/2008/07/iphone-part-iii.html">iPhone 3G trial</a>. I decided to keep it, and I couldn't be happier. I have been very happy with the phone, and mostly happy with the service. <a href="http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/welcome/">AT&T</a> is a much more robust network that <a href="http://www.sprint.com/index.html?brand=Nextel">Nextel</a> ever will be, and the calls are crystal clear. I lose signal occasionally in the hospital, elevators, or anywhere deep inside a building. Nextel's service seemed to outperform AT&T in terms of building penetration. Beyond that, Nextel sucks. (And <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSN0830651620080808">they're for sale</a>.)<br /><br /><br />Just a few of the things I've done recently with my all-in-one <a href="http://www.apple.com/iphone/">iPhone</a> device:<br /><br />-Listen to <a href="http://www.npr.org/rss/podcast/podcast_directory.php">podcasts</a> (which I'm really enjoying)<br /><br />-Listen to music out on the golf course (the built in speaker of the iPhone isn't too bad for iPod playback, but for conference calls, it leaves much to be desired)<br /><br />-<a href="http://iphone.facebook.com">Facebook mobile</a><br /><br />-Instant <a href="http://mail.google.com">email</a><br /><br />-Taking and sharing pictures<br /><br />-GPS<br /><br />-Fighting off enemies with my Light Saber<br /><br /><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3272/2697260570_3967b4c351.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3272/2697260570_3967b4c351.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Jesse Palmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12385475052755491513noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076529357927584450.post-70102614475382977972008-08-25T22:13:00.005-04:002008-08-25T22:32:13.731-04:00Get off the air FOX NewsI knew there was a reason I never watched the <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/index.html"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">FOX News</span></a>. Griff Jenkins is a tool. However, I do appreciate the uncensored chants from the crowd. Watch and listen...<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GDGhs_LN7Fk&color1=11645361&color2=13619151&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GDGhs_LN7Fk&color1=11645361&color2=13619151&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />I mean, these kids are trying to do some good, and Griff's all up in their business. Come on.<br /><br /><a href=http://www.recreate68.com/>Recreate '68</a href>. The whole world is watching.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.recreate68.com"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://recreate68.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/r68-logo.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Jesse Palmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12385475052755491513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076529357927584450.post-79197104152232984222008-08-25T21:49:00.005-04:002008-08-26T09:01:00.395-04:00Just what we neededThis is hopefully not a sign of the times. A robot designed to fill a job that should be taken by our overabundance of uneducated slackers. Our good friends, the geniuses at the <a href="http://www.uminho.pt/Default.aspx?lang=en-US">University of Minho</a>, have created a robot that can tell you when you are about to do something wrong, place the correct large purple bolt on the "car", then thank you for your help - all in a blazing minute-and-a-half.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/i0Gbgg-Vq34&color1=291787617&color2=325161297&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/i0Gbgg-Vq34&color1=291787617&color2=325161297&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />This induces about as much hope for the future as the thought of four years of McCain.Jesse Palmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12385475052755491513noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076529357927584450.post-81114297642074470292008-07-31T06:41:00.007-04:002008-07-31T06:55:24.070-04:00My Quest for iPhone 3G: Part III<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQutv30zWi37SyHGbudWZdAxS5iY-tt1fNjYJyBUlNjWJoZRGAY7EEEOrDwxIqBwjr96HGttaX1AKuGo3qr47VxLahWVSO5ScBgTks8Xt89C6tQLxvnmjCxh9J6hUFIEcFXGLq8X5sSw/s1600-h/ship.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229126753551427202" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQutv30zWi37SyHGbudWZdAxS5iY-tt1fNjYJyBUlNjWJoZRGAY7EEEOrDwxIqBwjr96HGttaX1AKuGo3qr47VxLahWVSO5ScBgTks8Xt89C6tQLxvnmjCxh9J6hUFIEcFXGLq8X5sSw/s400/ship.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9GHIUWyl2826kPUt7uFExOs2-2Egb6M0cWNkl1Wv4Lgwev5UaDgU5z7aa7_VnMHTekdfbIqRIPHek_AirifwXW_3GWZMKz2YvSZ60tiZr5YtqmmGFhTV-wpeJDYHZa8ooMFjk_Dd4EYw/s1600-h/ship.JPG"></a><br /><br /><div></div></div><br /><p>It's finally almost here. My very own <a href="http://www.apple.com/iphone/">iPhone 3G</a>. It's the <a href="http://www.free-macbookair.com/images/iPhone_Black_8GB.png">8GB Black one</a>. If I am able to activate it today or tomorrow, I'll be taking it <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=44.181219,-85.907593&spn=0.749457,1.752319&z=10">up north</a> with me camping for a true coverage test comparing <a href="http://www.att.com/">AT&T</a> to <a href="http://www.nextel.com/">Nextel</a>. Any bets on who will win?</p><p>I'm like a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Christmas_Story">kid at Christmas</a>... :)</p><p>_________________________________</p>Jesse Palmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12385475052755491513noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076529357927584450.post-70870740403940155232008-07-12T21:22:00.005-04:002008-07-12T22:33:15.039-04:00My Quest for iPhone 3G: Parts I & II<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/connected/graphics/2008/06/09/dliphone209b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/connected/graphics/2008/06/09/dliphone209b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I decided about 2 months ago that I was going to leave <a href="http://www.sprint.com/index.html?brand=Nextel">Nextel</a> and buy an <a href="http://www.apple.com/iphone/">iPhone</a> from its only service provider, <a href="http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/specials/iPhone.jsp">AT&T</a>. I have been waiting for yesterday's <a href="http://www.pqdvd.com/blog/iphone/category/iphone-release-date/">release date</a> for a while now, which has come and passed, and I still have no iPhone.<br /><br />I waited in line both yesterday and today. I did not wait overnight, but others did. I drove by my <a href="http://www.wireless.att.com/find-a-store/store-details.jsp?_requestid=3347">AT&T store</a> on <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=14912950881333703247,42.231543,-85.589519&q=5880+S+Westnedge,+Portage,+MI+49002+%28AT%26T,+formerly+Cingular%29&sll=42.231536,-85.593688&sspn=0.007436,0.023646&ie=UTF8&ll=42.597576,-85.578003&spn=1.892419,6.053467&z=8&iwloc=addr">Westnedge Ave</a> on Thursday night and there were about 25 people in line at 11:30 PM.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I arrived yesterday morning at 7:40 AM; the store opened at 8:00. The line began moving even before the store opened because everyone was bunching up at the entrance in anticipation of the release. Remember, this is the third most important release of a phone ever. Third to the <a href="http://www.iphonefreak.com/2007/04/iphone_release__1.html">initial release</a> of iPhone in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007#June">2007</a>, and the release of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Graham_Bell">Alexander Graham Bell</a>'s invention in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1876">1876</a>.<br /></div><br />After the doors opened, the line didn't seem to move very fast at all. I couldn't see in the store, so I had no idea what the story was in there. Every 10 to 15 minutes, the line would move about 10 feet or so. I didn't have much hope at this point of getting my iPhone.<br /><br />At about 8:40, an AT&T salesman came out to address the crowd. He said, "Everyone past this point may want to reconsider waiting." The point in the line he was referring to was a long way ahead of me. I figure the Portage AT&T store had approximately 40 iPhones for the first day.<br /><br />I went home.<br /><br />Friday night, I went back to check and see if a line was forming again. I thought that surely no one would be waiting over night on the second night, but sure enough, there were about 10 people waiting at 10:00 PM or so.<br /><br />Saturday morning, I got up at 8:30 and started making my way towards the AT&T store. They open at 9:00 AM on Saturdays. I arrived about 10 minutes after 9:00, and was much further up in the line than yesterday. I was about 75 people back. This time, I could see in the store, and there were 5 salespeople working the activations.<br /><br />Again, I waited. Again, they came out about 40 minutes after the store opened. Again, I was snuffed. I think they had about 40 phones for the second day too.<br /><br />An interesting, but not surprising thing happened today during the mass activations. When the salesman came out to announce the day's availability, he mentioned that there was a problem with the system, and about 20,000 activations had been backlogged in Michigan. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_room#In_Service_Businesses">war room</a> in Texas was being utilized, but there were no indications of how long it would take to clear up the problem.<br /><br />I went home again.<br /><br />I watched some more <a href="http://www.apple.com/iphone/guidedtour/">iPhone videos</a> today, which only made me want it more. I'll try again tomorrow. They open at 11:00 AM.Jesse Palmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12385475052755491513noreply@blogger.com0