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The Different Philosophies of Tech Companies

Microsoft: "Only the software matters"

Google: "The hardware doesn't matter"

Apple: "The hardware is the vehicle of software"

An Unpopular Viewpoint on Google in China

I see a lot of press on Google's defiance against Internet censorship in China. I think it's a good position for Google to take. It's a precedent they probably should be the ones setting. They're not being evil. And a lot of people are cheering Google on like they can change the face of China's communication landscape.

But I think they're wrong.

I think if they want access to the Chinese market and the money that comes with it, they've got to play by their rules. They've done that, and now they're turning around and saying, "nope it's not worth it". So be it. Get out. But don't push your ideals on them in the process.

When I think about how I'd feel in the position of a Chinese citizen, I'd be frustrated by the way the Internet is handled. But I only have my life in Canada as a reference. As an outsider I see a lot of "bad" in the way China filters information to its people. But I'm not a Chinese citizen. And it's not my business to change their ways. It shouldn't be Google's either. Google isn't some freedom fighter - they're a business. I'm suspicious that they'd take an "all or nothing" position if they had something to lose. I don't think they do.

What does the average Chinese citizen think of Google's recent behaviour? Do they think "huzzah - someone to liberate us" or do they even care at all? I'd wager the average Chinese citizen is scarcely aware that Google was even working in China, let alone look to them for guidance on how to live their lives.

I'll admit that I'm pretty curious to see how this all plays out.

Ten Things That Drive Me Nuts At Work

I love my job. I love the company I work for too. But everyone has pet peeves - and these are my top 10, in no particular order.

1. E-mail with red exclamation marks every time. Here's a hint: read "The Boy Who Cried Wolf"
2. Asking for an estimate on a project we don't know anything about. How long is a piece of string?
3. Forwarding me an e-mail I was already CC'd on. I'm now worried that you're paying less attention than you think I am.
4. Voicemail that requires more than 15 seconds to listen to. Telephones are a two way medium. When you called you wanted to interact, save it for the discussion.
5. Any request to use social media for the sake of using social media. Just because it's hot right now doesn't mean you have anything people want to engage you on yet. Spend your money wisely - not chasing trends.
6. The phrases "at the end of the day", "going forward", "that said" and "meet to discuss". These are just petty things. Some people just train themselves to speak this way.
7. Answering any question with "well, yes and no..." as your lead in. You don't yet have a handle on the problem and we shouldn't be talking yet.
8. Meeting requests that have no agenda. If you're not prepared, how can I be?
9. Any request that is clearly change for the sake of change and isn't really making anything better. Putting your mark on something means you did something positive, not just "something".
10. Status updates written as a narrative. There's a button for making a bulleted list. No one's winning any Pulitzers for great contact reports.

Useless: E-mail Disclaimers

Everyone's seen e-mail disclaimers. Big reams of legal horseshit at the end of an e-mail.

Many of the disclaimers I see on a day-to-day basis boil down to "if this wasn't for you, delete it."

I can think of few things as useless.

1. If it's at the bottom they've read it. Too late. So sorry.
2. If they've scanned the e-mail and then stumbled on the disclaimer, it's probably a cue to say "hey, this might be more interesting, I'm gonna read it again"

What I Learned This Friday

This week I'm posting something I have learned each day.

Caring is hard. Don't give people license to not care; it's too easy to accept.

What I Learned This Thursday

This week I'll be posting one thing I learn each day.

Today I learned that some people can only perceive value as a price-point; and the only value in that perception is not one you can defend.

What I Learned This Wednesday

This week I'll be posting one thing I learn each day.

I learned how to use the CONCATENATE function in Excel to make trafficking online ads easier.

What I Learned This Tuesday

This week I'll be posting one thing I learn each day.

Typekit hit primetime and is really easy to use.

Friday Night

There Should Be an App Store for Desktop Software

I have Windows 7 installed on my iMac. It's basically so I can play Left 4 Dead (and soon, Left 4 Dead 2).

One of the things I noted is the use of Valve's "Steam" software as the method for getting games. It's very much like the App Store on an iPhone, but carries just the Valve product line.

Because of Steam I've downloaded, played and subsequently purchased two other games from Valve (Champions Online and Team Fortress 2).

I think there should be something like this for desktop software, but a store for any publisher. It'd be a way better way to get apps and keep them up to date.