I got an e-mail about Kindle for PC. I have the Kindle app on my iPhone and so I thought they would be taking advantage of the PC platform and doing something to really extend the range of the Kindle.
Fail.
I don't know why they even bothered. It's just lame. Basically 1/2 as much as a PDF reader.
It shows you a display just like on the Kindle resized to the PC screen size. You get a NEXT, BACK and Table of Contents button AND THAT'S IT! You don't even get the dictionary or Text To Speech functionality in the real Kindle. It's adds nothing to the kindle experience except a low-fidelity clone of the actual device.
While it's true this was released before the iPad, but good grief -- didn't you consider: a two page view, touch support, dictionary support or (gasp!) a find feature.
A complete let down. 0.5 of 5 stars (it did not crash).
Dan
Sunday, January 31, 2010
A Life Decoded: My Genome: My Life
A Life Decoded is the autobiography of J. Craig Venter (here and here). He starts by quoting George Orwell: "An autobiography is only to be trusted when it reveals something disgraceful. A man who gives a good account of himself is probably lying, since any life when viewed from the inside is simply a series of defeats" and Samuel Goldwyn: "I don`t think anyone should write their autobiography until after they`re dead" which sets an interesting tone for the book.
Craig Venter is well known for sequencing the human genome and that's ultimately what this story is about. I must admit I was captivated by the near-high school dropout who gets intertwined with the 60's and then goes to Viet Nam where he tries to have a life while staying alive and then get's a PhD and changes the world story.
I don't want to repeat the whole story here since it's worth reading. Everyone tells this guy "no" and he keeps putting on the elbow grease and changes the world. On top of all of this, he's a sailor.
Amazing story! What a contribution to science and humanity. I wish Craig the best with his current and future projects (here and here).
(Note the following pricing on Amazon. Paper: $6.06 NEW. Kindle: $9.72. DUMB!!!)
Dan
Craig Venter is well known for sequencing the human genome and that's ultimately what this story is about. I must admit I was captivated by the near-high school dropout who gets intertwined with the 60's and then goes to Viet Nam where he tries to have a life while staying alive and then get's a PhD and changes the world story.
I don't want to repeat the whole story here since it's worth reading. Everyone tells this guy "no" and he keeps putting on the elbow grease and changes the world. On top of all of this, he's a sailor.
Amazing story! What a contribution to science and humanity. I wish Craig the best with his current and future projects (here and here).
(Note the following pricing on Amazon. Paper: $6.06 NEW. Kindle: $9.72. DUMB!!!)
Dan
First Kindle Experience
I had a four-day business trip that included multiple five-four flights last week. I hate long flights and I really wanted to read rather than work on the latest PowerPoint of something.
So I did what any techie dad would do. I swiped my daughters Kindle.
In all fairness, I bought it for her. You could say that I bought it so I could borrow it... But I waited 11-months before borrowing it the first time so it's not so black-and-white.
Net: 4 out of 5
I read The Talent Code on the plane and the net is that it was better in almost every way than the paper (dead trees) version.
First off, I can't believe how nice the display is. It's remarkably easy on the eyes. Not only is the contrast as good as books, but the lack of back lighting is a bonus! That's right. People complain about the lack of back lighting but I don't think they have really used it. It just makes it so much easier to read compared to a computer screen. (One thing Apple needs to get right with the iPad is this back light issue.)
The one issue I had was that on the night time flight segment, I was reading by the overhead light and there was a lot of glare on the glass. This contributed to part of my minus 1 in sore, but it wasn't that bad.
The size is bigger than a paper back, but smaller than anything else. The Talent Code was much bigger physically. The iPad seems like it will totally kill Kindle DX, but I think there is still a place for the "classic" Kindle.
The negative... The store model is still FUBAR. How can eBooks cost almost as much as printed books? It just doesn't make any sense. Would the WSJ get as much for online? No. NYT? It's crazy.
Dan
So I did what any techie dad would do. I swiped my daughters Kindle.
In all fairness, I bought it for her. You could say that I bought it so I could borrow it... But I waited 11-months before borrowing it the first time so it's not so black-and-white.
Net: 4 out of 5
I read The Talent Code on the plane and the net is that it was better in almost every way than the paper (dead trees) version.
First off, I can't believe how nice the display is. It's remarkably easy on the eyes. Not only is the contrast as good as books, but the lack of back lighting is a bonus! That's right. People complain about the lack of back lighting but I don't think they have really used it. It just makes it so much easier to read compared to a computer screen. (One thing Apple needs to get right with the iPad is this back light issue.)
The one issue I had was that on the night time flight segment, I was reading by the overhead light and there was a lot of glare on the glass. This contributed to part of my minus 1 in sore, but it wasn't that bad.
The size is bigger than a paper back, but smaller than anything else. The Talent Code was much bigger physically. The iPad seems like it will totally kill Kindle DX, but I think there is still a place for the "classic" Kindle.
The negative... The store model is still FUBAR. How can eBooks cost almost as much as printed books? It just doesn't make any sense. Would the WSJ get as much for online? No. NYT? It's crazy.
Dan
The Talent Code: Greatness Isn't Born. It's Grown. Here's How.
I just finished reading The Talent Code: Greatness Isn't Born. It's Grown. Here's How by Daniel Coyle.
The thesis is that the growth of Myelin in the brain is the physiological change that allows your brain to become great at certain things (like playing a musical instrument). The idea is that with lots of practice (thousands of hours) at a very low level anyone could become fantastically proficient. By "at a low level" he means that you need to practice small muscle movements over and over. Playing a song is the wrong thing, instead you need to practice a single technique over-and-over until the Myelin grows in your brain to make it automatic and fast.
I think what's really interesting is how he connects the Myelin theory to great coaches.
People know that great coaches can produce great performers multiple times. The theory (he uses a lot of interesting examples) is that these great coaches naturally teach in "tiny bite sized increments" and therefore optimize for Myelin creation.
I heard an UW professor call this "the book of the decade." I don't know if I would go that far, however it is a very accessible, positive and thought provoking read.
Dan
The thesis is that the growth of Myelin in the brain is the physiological change that allows your brain to become great at certain things (like playing a musical instrument). The idea is that with lots of practice (thousands of hours) at a very low level anyone could become fantastically proficient. By "at a low level" he means that you need to practice small muscle movements over and over. Playing a song is the wrong thing, instead you need to practice a single technique over-and-over until the Myelin grows in your brain to make it automatic and fast.
I think what's really interesting is how he connects the Myelin theory to great coaches.
People know that great coaches can produce great performers multiple times. The theory (he uses a lot of interesting examples) is that these great coaches naturally teach in "tiny bite sized increments" and therefore optimize for Myelin creation.
I heard an UW professor call this "the book of the decade." I don't know if I would go that far, however it is a very accessible, positive and thought provoking read.
Dan
Saturday, January 16, 2010
This Bridge Talks
In the Random Department...
Waiting in line for the Fremont Bridge today, I noticed the "turn your engine off" signs and then just above it was a sign that said "This Bridge Talks -- 800-761-9941" so we called it. It turns out it's an audio art project!
What a great idea! I love Rapunzel's Hair and some of the other art on the bridge.
Very random and therefore very cool.
Dan
Waiting in line for the Fremont Bridge today, I noticed the "turn your engine off" signs and then just above it was a sign that said "This Bridge Talks -- 800-761-9941" so we called it. It turns out it's an audio art project!
What a great idea! I love Rapunzel's Hair and some of the other art on the bridge.
Very random and therefore very cool.
Dan
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Kudos to Google on new China direction
Kudos to Google for their A New approach to China. Censorship and the fact that Google has been forced to censor is evil and I'm glad someone is standing up to this.
Microsoft and Yahoosoft should be sufficiently embarrassed to act.
Microsoft and Yahoosoft should be sufficiently embarrassed to act.
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