Monthly Archives: January 2012
Vermont Computing Inc Has Been a Dream Come True
Vermont Computing – Hard Work can Pay Off
June 13, 2001. I was a week out of college and about to take a job at Staples as I couldn’t find anything else. It was clear that $8.40 an hour wasn’t going to be sustainable. Vermont Computing (no “inc” at that point) was born. Domain name purchased and trade name secured, I began handing out business cards and posting flyers. I was quickly working 50-60 hours per week between Staples and the fledgling Vermont Computing. I was exhausted but happy.
HipGeo Write Up Live at A New Domain
If you like social apps, or travel apps, check out my write up at A New Domain on HipGeo.
HipGeo Main Screen
Nook Color SD Card CyanogenMod
Easiest Nook Color SD Card Method
Feel free to skip the text below and go to the directions that finally allowed me the Nook Color sd card method here. I spent a lot of time going through the various methods people have used, and the last thing I want to do is make someone wait longer than necessary.
Boot Droid 2 Recovery
Boot Droid 2 Recovery Process
You can boot Droid 2 recovery by holding down the X button on the slide out keyboard and then holding down the power button. After around 10 seconds you’ll see a yellow exclamation point come up, like in the image below. If you don’t do it right you’ll end up powering on the phone – don’t worry, just wait for it to finish booting. Then power off and try again.
- SBF Droid 2 – Android Recovery
Press the Search (magnifying glass) button on the slide out keyboard, below the X, to access the menus. That’s it! From here you can wipe data or install an update. If you have an alternative recovery, you still boot this way, but it might look different.
SBF Droid 2 – The Complete HowTo
SBF Droid 2 – It’s Not That Hard!
These instructions will help you SBF Droid 2 back to the stock Motorola configuration. The process to restore or SBF Droid 2 is simple but could damage your phone if done improperly. Or, to be honest, even if done properly (though that’s very rare – this is just a disclaimer!) [Edited 5/14/12]
Skip Activation on Motorola Droid 2 Droid X
When You Want to Skip Activation
You can skip activation on the Motorola Droid 2 and Droid X by pressing the four corners of the screen, starting with the upper left, and moving clockwise. It’s fairly sensitive, so it might take a few tries.
You might want to skip activation if you’re going to use your Droid 2 or Droid X as a micro-tablet or in some other way that doesn’t involve cellular service. You may also want to do this if you’re going to be rooting and installing a custom ROM. You can always activate later, if you need to, by dialing *228 and placing a call.
Twitter Has Taught Me Much
Twitter Education in 140 Characters
I sent my first tweet in April of 2009. In nearly three years I’ve learned a lot about the web, humanity and marketing, all from Twitter. I expect the first thing I learned from Twitter was the first thing everyone learns – efficiency. In life I have a tendency to ramble, which clearly has no place in Twitter.
Droid Still Going Strong
Long Live the Moto Droid
I retired my original Motorola Droid over a year ago when I graduated to my Droid 2. I preferred the keyboard on my original Droid (or Droid 1), but learned to live without it on the Droid 2. I’ve recently stepped up to a Droid X but continue to use my original “OG” Droid as a micro-tablet and podcast player.
Happy New Year
It’s just barely 2012 as I’m writing this, and it seems that every tech site and publication I follow is predicting massive shifts in the way people use their technology. While these may be true, the predictions don’t hold true for most consumers OR for your business.
If you’re on this list, you’re probably not an early adopter of most technologies. Our clients rarely spend money on business technology unless it’s tested, which, by definition, is not the newest. Riding that wave can be expensive and frustrating, so I’m just as happy that you’re not one of those businesses. The beauty of this philosophy is it gives us time to assess and only implement those advancements that will contribute to the bottom line. Where should you be shifting this year?
Migrate to web based applications where possible. It’s a far easier deployment and there are rarely issues with upgrading. Most web services allow the export and backup of data, which is critical. While it may cost you more per month to maintain, there is rarely a risk of spending more than that monthly fee, thus stabilizing the cost of the product over a traditional “installed” program.
Look at how mobile can serve you better. Whether it’s smartphones for your employees or mobile marketing for your customers, if you don’t have a mobile strategy, you need one in 2012.
Cut back on email. Yes, you read that right. New studies have shown that email is a tremendous waste of time… not the actual usage of it, but the constant usage. Some organizations are limiting email access to certain times per day or even banning it altogether. While these are likely too extreme for your organization, we could all improve our email habits, especially when it comes to efficiency.
As with last year, I’ll be sending you this letter monthly and I hope that you continue to find it valuable. As always, I am available to expand on anything I mention (I try and keep these short) and am open to topic suggestions. Here’s to a great 2012!