World Sojourner : 3760

I’m unwrapping my 1TB Windows Home Server … very exciting.  This is getting me close to my ultimate goal of a fully digital house. 

Geek-hood nirvana

This article ain Information Week reminded me of a question that popped into my head when I heard about the new Google browser (other than why would they make their channel relationships so difficult?) - Chrome?  Like what’s on the outside of a car - it makes it look better but it is what is on the inside that really matters.

I think Chrome is more market research than actual foray into the browser wars.  Google’s applications are okay within a browser, but they really need them to operate not just look in a similar manner to Microsoft’s, which means that no matter where I’m located (with ‘net or without) I can operate Google Docs and Apps.  Chrome provides the structure for that move and as of now, it is providing valuable data on usability, duration, errors and other interesting activities that would be crucial for mission critical PC work. 

The sleek browser interface also lends itself to SaaS layouts better than a normal Firefox or Microsoft browser - who needs my latest links when writing a memo?  Again, the WAG (wild ass guess) approach to reporting, but this long term goal could also keep the Firefox relationship from becoming too strained.  Google luvs Firefox so why become a competitor?

Chrome + Gears becomes an interesting platform for developers, but will it go that direction?

Google Chrome Will Challenge Some SaaS Providers — Google Chrome Web Browser — InformationWeek

Okay, I just joined Fire Eagle from Yahoo because I liked the name and it seemed interesting. But, frankly, I have no idea why it’s a useful tool.

In case you’re unfamiliar with Fire Eagle it’s a service that tells people where you are at anytime. FE supplies data to numerous applications and appears to receive the data from other apps as well. One interlink app looks cool and a little creepy - it syncs your location from a car GPS system. So, like, when I’m cruising down highway I-?? in Iowa all my peeps in London will know. Or, like, you know the CIA.

But the creepiness factor aside, I can’t think many real world applications:

• Business - This service with the GPS coordinate thing would be helpful if HQ wants to monitor its sales people and their location or if there’s an experience marketing van (the Oscar Myer Wiener Mobile for instance) and one wants to report about it, or get the closest person to visit a client
• Personal - It appears helpful if I was traveling and needed to keep my family in formed (now entering Iran Dad, if you don’t hear from me in 24 hrs …) or something similar. Of course a text message could do the same thing.

Maybe it’s because this type of stuff normally doesn’t interest me because me telling the world where I’m located isn’t something I would be interested in doing (because it isn’t something I would follow) or reading. Most people who know me know that I don’t understand why people read other people’s personal blogs if they don’t know them or the author isn’t famous.

So here’s my question: I normally understand things through examples … the for instance stuff … so why would you, oh dear reader … use Fire Eagle?

From Dilbert.Com a few days ago