"Universal" computers on the horizon...

Apple Computers is set to transition to using Intel processors in the near future. There is an opportunity present that I can see to significantly grow their business. Here are my thoughts on a potential Apple strategy for the Intel transition:

1) Build hardware that is optimized for running Mac OS/X and is also capable of running Windows or Linux

2) Include virtualization/hypervisor technology to allow for concurrent OS's.

3) Pipe the Linux and XP windows seamlessly through Quartz Extreme's 3D pipeline.

This strategy will have many benefits for Apple.

1) They will provide the only hardware capable of running (legal) concurrent Windows, Linux and OS/X programs.

2) They will provide an infinitely better "switch" experience for first time Apple customers since they can keep their existing apps.

3) They can (eventually) license the privilege of building "universal" computers to the first and second tier PC OEM's creating a brand new revenue stream.

This approach will allow for rapid and significant growth of both the hardware AND software sides of the company. Linux gets supported without having to reinvent the wheel. In one swoop, they get support for GNOME/GTK apps, KDE apps, dotNET apps, DirectX apps, and WinGDI apps.

Will there be performance issues? Some. But nowhere near the issues normally present with software based emulation. And if there are issues, the solution is to port to Apple's own API's!

Steve Jobs is the only one ballzy enough to do this to the industry.

Katrina Interview

Here is a video of an interview given by two Katrina survivors. They are very dear friends of mine and need time to try and incorporate these events into their lives. I hope that this may help others.

Oscar

All you need is one good idea...

Recently, I discovered that HP had patented a technology called Lightscribe. The idea is simple enough. Every CD/DVD recording device has a laser that can "burn" a specific data pattern onto the underside of a disc. Why not then flip the disc over and use the same tech to laser etch an image onto the label side? Sounds simple? It is. I had the same idea at least 4 years ago. Did I patent it? No. Am I kicking myself? Not really. I mean, it just goes to show that a good idea, no matter how obvious, is patentable. I would never in a million years think that you can patent the obvious but here you go.
The best part is, they just patented the IDEA. They left it to others to make it work. They just license it. In other words, the hard work of making an idea a reality is not really worth anything anymore. All that matters is that you think of it first.
I'm gonna go now and patent my idea for a cell phone that you swallow. How does it work? Who cares.

MPAA joins RIAA in the seventh circle of hell...

The MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) has finally joined the RIAA in it's practice of abusing the legal system in order to wring every last dollar from the public.

Bill Could Criminalize Fast-Forwarding DVD Ads, Trailers

A new bill before Congress may eventually have DVD-viewers thinking twice before fast-forwarding through the ads and previews. The proposed legislation would make fast-forwarding through those ads illegal -- not only in theaters, but also at home, NBC News reported. The bill allows technology that lets families edit out explicit scenes or material to track the DVD use. But broadcast companies have lobbied hard to keep commercials and movie trailers off limits. "Their concern is if it becomes easy for people to skip ads, then their whole business model goes down the drain," said Gigi Sohn, of a consumer advocacy group called Public Knowledge. Public Knowledge is fighting the bill and Sohn said families have been skipping ads ever since the early days of the VCR. Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, agreed, saying: "Do we really expect to throw people in jail for behavior they've been engaged in for more than a quarter century?" Media executives said that's not their goal. The Motion Picture Association said it supports other parts of the act, "particularly those provisions that will help combat the theft of motion pictures," NBC News reported.

The MPAA no longer even pretends to care about it's consumers. I know that they will just say that they are playing the game of Capitalism but I don't buy it. They say that they will lose revenue dollars if they are not allowed this extroardinary privilege. How many sources of revenue do they need? There's theatre revenue, product placement, Co-branding, merchandise, books, magazines, on-line premium content, collector's edition DVD's, regular DVD's and VHS sales, DVD/VHS rental, overseas sales, licensing, pay per view, Cable operators, regular TV, overseas sales, etc. Do they really need to hammer us with forced Ads on DVD's as well? Come on. Now you're just being greedy.